Sun Jun 29 22:59:48 2008

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Buehrle helps White Sox complete sweep of Cubs

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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Mark Buehrle worked seven strong innings as the White Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Cubs with a 5-1 victory at U.S. Cellular Field.

Buehrle (6-6) gave up one unearned-run on six hits with a pair of walks and five strikeouts, while and Brian Anderson clubbed a two-run homer for the White Sox, who have won five of their last six games.

Designated hitter Jim Thome hit the 522nd home run of his career, a two-run blast in the eighth, and moved into sole possession of 16th place all-time, squeezing past Ted Williams and Willie McCovey.

Ronny Cedeno drove in the lone run while Sean Marshall (0-2) suffered the loss as he gave up three runs on five hits in seven innings for the Cubs, who have dropped four straight and five of six overall. The skid comes after last weekend's sweep of the White Sox at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs threatened in the second inning as they loaded the bases, but it was with two outs and Cedeno flied out to end the frame.

The White Sox got their first two men on base in the second and had second and third with no outs, but they were stranded there as the next three batters recorded outs.

The home team got on the board in the fourth inning as Carlos Quentin led off with a shot over the left field wall.

In the fifth inning, Nick Swisher led off with a walk, and after Alexei Ramirez flied out, Anderson clubbed a homer over the center field wall for a 3-0 advantage.

The Cubs finally scored in the seventh inning. With one out, Mark DeRosa hit a grounder to third that got between the legs of Joe Crede and DeRosa made it to second. Jim Edmonds followed with a single to move DeRosa to third, and after Henry Blanco flied out, Cedeno punched a single to center to score DeRosa.

The Cubs got a leadoff walk from Ryan Theriot to start the eighth, but Derrek Lee struck out and Aramis Ramirez hit into a 5-4-3 double play to end the frame.

Thome's two-run bomb into the right field stands in the eighth padded the White Sox's lead to 5-1.

In the ninth, Bobby Jenks gave up a leadoff walk to Geovany Soto and DeRosa followed with a double to left to put runners at second and third. Edmonds, though, hit a sharp liner to first and Swisher was able to double off DeRosa at second. Pinch-hitter Daryle Ward grounded out to end the game.

Game Notes

Cubs manager Lou Piniella was ejected in the bottom of the second by home plate umpire Rob Drake for arguing balls and strikes...The White Sox host Cleveland for a three-game set starting Monday...The Cubs begin a four-game set in San Francisco on Monday...Buehrle was won his last three starts and four of five overall...The White Sox turned four double plays in the game...The Cubs have won eight of the last 12 against the White Sox.