Cardinals Split DH, White Sox Blank Cubs

By ESPN

For a team that's historically been known for pitching, speed and defense, these St. Louis Cardinals sure are hitting a lot of home runs lately.

Especially Jedd Gyorko. Gyorko connected again, launching a two-run drive off Noah Syndergaard that sent the Cardinals over the New York Mets 3-2 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.

Gyorko homered for the sixth time in eight games, giving him 13 this season.

"He's amazing. He's doing a great job," manager Mike Matheny said. "He's an interesting player. I don't think people realize how good he is."

The Cardinals lead the NL in home runs with 137, matching last year's total. The last time they led the league was 1998, the Elias Sports Bureau said, when Mark McGwire hit 70 of their 223.

No one on the Cardinals is among the league leaders in home runs, but eight players have reached double digits.

"We have a lot of guys with 20-plus potential," Matheny said. "Not every team can say that."

St. Louis has homered in 16 straight games, its best streak since a team-record 19-game string in 2006.

Someday, maybe when he turns 50 or 60 or even 70, Bartolo Colon might get knocked off the mound.

In the meantime, he's in total control.

Colon pitched three-hit ball for seven sharp innings and the New York Mets overcame another home run by Jedd Gyorko to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 Tuesday night for a doubleheader split.

"Just throwing it straight. It was going where I wanted it," the 43-year-old Colon said through a translator.

Gyorko homered in both ends and has connected seven times in nine games. His two-run shot helped St. Louis win the opener 3-2.

White Sox 3, Cubs 0

Out went Chris Sale and the shredded 1976 throwback jerseys. In came 1983 uniforms and a four-game winning streak.

James Shields allowed four singles in 7 2/3 innings, Adam Eaton homered and the White Sox stayed unbeaten since their ace's suspension by beating the Cubs 3-0 on Tuesday night in Chicago's crosstown rivalry.

When Sale tore up the 1976-style jerseys before his scheduled start Saturday, the White Sox had to put on their 1983-era uniforms as Sale was sent home. They've won four straight in those white jerseys as Sale serves a five-day suspension.

"Can't wear them tomorrow," manager Robin Ventura said, noting they'll have to wear visiting dark jerseys as the series shifts to Wrigley Field. "If we could, I think we would."

The Cubs lost their second straight and never got to use new closer Aroldis Chapman hours after he joined the team and struggled answering questions related to an altercation last year with his girlfriend.

The Cubs had no extra-base hits. Kris Bryant was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and has fanned seven times in 10 at-bats against Shields.

Tuesday, July 26 Scoreboard

St. Louis 3, New York Mets 2

New York Mets 3, St. Louis 1

Chicago White Sox 3, Chicago Cubs 0

Colorado 6, Baltimore 3

Seattle 7, Pittsburgh 4

Toronto 7, San Diego 6 (F/12)

Detroit 9, Boston 8

Cleveland 7, Washington 6

Miami 5, Philadelphia 0

Oakland 6, Texas 3

Milwaukee 9, Arizona 4

Altanta 2, Minnesota 0

New York Yankees 6, Houston 3

Los Angeles Angels 13, Kansas City 0

Los Angeles Dodgers 3, Tampa Bay 2

San Francisco 9, Cincinnati 7

Wednesday, July 27 Schedule (All Times Central)

Washington at  Cleveland, 11:10 a.m.

Philadelphia at Miami, 11:10 a.m.

San Diego at Toronto, 11:37 a.m.

Detroit at Boston, 12:35 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Dodgers, 2:10 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Francisco, 2:45 p.m.

Colorado at Baltimore, 6:05 p.m.

Seattle at Pittsburgh, 6:05 p.m.

St. Louis at New York Mets, 6:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs, 7 p.m.

Oakland at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

Arizona at Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.

Atlanta at Minnesota, 7:10 p.m.

New York Yankees at Houston, 7:10 p.m.

Los Angeles Angels at Kansas City, 7:15 p.m.