The Cubs snapped their first mini losing streak of the season by beating Pittsburgh and the White Sox buried the Yankees as Chicago's teams continued to lead the way in Major League Baseball Friday. The National League Cubs extended their recent domination of the Pirates, winning 9-4 at Wrigley Field to improve their majors-leading record to 26-8 after suffering a two game slide — both games of a doubleheader against San Diego on Wednesday. In New York, Chris Sale became the major leagues' first eight-game winner as the White Sox beat the Yankees 7-1 to go 24-12, the second best record in baseball. The Cubs ended Pittsburgh's season in the wild-card game last year, and the closest the Pirates have come to their rivals in four games this season is four runs. The result is an early eight-game deficit in the NL Central. Francisco Liriano gave up home runs to Addison Russell, David Ross and Kris Bryant, more than enough for Jason Hammel (5-0) in the Cubs' victory Friday. Hammel struck out a season-best eight over 6 2/3 innings, giving up one earned run and eight hits. The Pirates have been outscored 29-9 in four games against the surging Cubs. "It seems like they're giving a lot of people trouble besides us," said Pittsburgh star Andrew McCutchen, who had three hits, including a two-run homer in the ninth. "They're a good ballclub and we'll get opportunities, but we've got to key on them. We've got to jump on them." Sale worked quickly and efficiently in a six-hitter against the Yankees. He retired 15 consecutive batters from the fourth through the eighth innings, striking out six and walking none to become the first White Sox pitcher to win his opening eight starts since Jon Garland in 2005. Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run homer in the third inning off Luis Severino (0-6), who left one pitch later with soreness on the back of his right elbow and was sent to a hospital for an MRI. At Fenway Park, George Springer homered off former University of Connecticut teammate Matt Barnes and drove in four runs as Houston ended Boston's five-game winning streak with a 7-6 victory. Springer's two-run drive over the Green Monster against Barnes (2-2) broke a 5-all tie in the sixth inning. Jackie Bradley Jr. got three hits for the Red Sox and extended the longest hitting streak in the majors this season to 19 games. In Washington, Bryce Harper hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning, sending Washington over Miami 5-3. Harper, playing while he appeals a one-game suspension for his behavior following an ejection Monday, walked his first two times up and singled in the fifth. It was 2-all in the Washington seventh when Anthony Rendon drew a leadoff walk. Harper followed by working the count full against Kyle Barraclough (2-1), then hitting his 11th home run. Joe Panik hit a three-run homer on a 3-0 pitch and right-hander Jeff Samardzija won his fifth game as San Francisco defeated Arizona 3-1. Panik turned on 92 mph fastball from right-hander Shelby Miller (1-4) and drove it deep into the right field seats for a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning. In other games, Colorado snapped an 11-game losing streak by beating the New York Mets 5-2 in Denver, Kansas City beat visiting Atlanta 5-1, Toronto won 5-0 at Texas, Milwaukee edged San Diego 1-0 at home, Baltimore beat visiting Detroit 1-0, Cleveland won 7-6 at home to Minnesota, Oakland won 6-3 at Tampa Bay, Philadelphia won 3-2 at home against Cincinnati, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 8-4, while the LA Angels won 7-6 at Seattle.
