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The Cubs earned their sixth consecutive win against the White Sox, matching a franchise record for the series.

Miguel Vargas went deep twice for the White Sox in his first career multihomer game. He also matched a career high with four hits.

Vargas connected for a two-run drive in the first and a solo drive in the third. But the Cubs went ahead to stay with six runs in the second against Shane Smith (1-3).

With one out and runners on second and third, Michael Busch used a nifty slide to score on Moisés Ballesteros’ chopper to first baseman Andrew Vaughn. Hoerner then hit a grounder to shortstop Chase Meidroth, who made a strong throw to the plate that was dropped by catcher Matt Thaiss for an error.

After Jon Berti struck out looking, Crow-Armstrong hit a three-run drive to right for his 12th homer. Suzuki tacked on an RBI double for a 6-2 lead.

Smith was charged with one earned run and seven hits in five innings. The rookie right-hander struck out five and walked one.

Crow-Armstrong also drove in Hoerner with a wind-aided single in the sixth, and then singled home two more runs in the seventh for a 10-3 lead.

Key moment

Ballesteros hit an RBI single in the eighth for his first hit in his second major league game.

Key stat

Smith has surrendered two homers in 48 1/3 innings in his first big league season. He allowed a three-run shot by Boston’s Rafael Devers on April 19.

Up next

White Sox right-hander Sean Burke (2-4, 4.15 ERA) and Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (3-2, 2.78 ERA) take the mound on Saturday.

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AP MLB: