What a great three game series put on by the Chicago baseball teams this past week. It began with a bang as Jose Guillen’s temper flared in game one on Monday. The White Sox would go on to lose the game 6-3, but Jose’s spirited behavior must have lit a fire under his ball club for the rest of the series against the crosstown rival. The next two games would be won by Guillen’s White Sox in close run one games. Ultimately, and strangely, it ended with fireworks as tempers flared from the White Sox Dugout again. This time, however, it was not from Jose Guillen, but white sox pitcher Jake Peavy and his catcher A.J. Pierzynski exchanging words. Even when winning, the two had a heated discussion both on the field and off. In the end The Cubbies slipped further under .500 as the White Sox gained some ground in the AL Central as they try to get over the hump.

In game one of the series, the Cubs were able to put up good offense while over-powering the White Sox with their pitching as well. Zambrano was able to stay in the game for 8 solid innings while giving up just 7 hits. Just a year ago Zambrano was suspended after an altercation in the same stadium against the White Sox. The incident was so damaging to the team that he had to take anger management classes as well. On Monday, though, it may have been Zambrano who caused another tirade in Chicago. His solid performance, perhaps, got White Sox coach Jose Guillen so frustrated that he lost his cool on the field towards an umpire he felt made a bad call. Guillen angrily kicked Cubs catcher Geovany Soto’s mask clear across the field while Soto laughed in amazement. Guillen was ultimately tossed and the Sox lost the game 6-3.

Game 2 of the series, on Tuesday, had a long rain delay before play resumed. This time the fireworks came from the play of Paul Konerko rather than behavioral outburst of players or managers. Paul was able to hit a Homerun in the bottom of the 2^nd inning. That homerun made for 5 straight games in which Konerko went yard and helped the Sox win by the score of 3-2. Although it was early in the game and not the game winner, Konerko’s play of late has helped the White Sox try and get above.500. The same would not be the case for Konerko in game three of the series against the cubs. Konerko’s streak fizzled out and he ended up going 0 for 3, but that did not stop the White Sox from hanging on in another one run ballgame.

The series ended with a rubber game that consisted of more emotions getting stirred up from White Sox personnel. This time starting pitcher Jake Peavy began to run into some trouble in the sixth inning and was ultimately pulled from the game. While walking off the field he had, what appeared to be, a heated argument with White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski. The conversation then carried on into the dugout where Peavy was seen taking Pierzynski out of the dugout and back into the clubhouse. The Sox energy won them the game, and series, by a 4-3 score. After the game, all was happy in the White Sox locker room. Both Sox players were interviewed about the exchange of words and both played it off and gave each other credit for their performance and the win. In the end Jake Peavy got the W, which brought his record to 3-1 for the year. Pierzynski had a part in 3 of the Sox 4 runs as he had 2 RBIs and scored a run. The best part, however, is that these two teams will meet for 3 more games this year. Perhaps this time everyone will be in a better mood in the windy city.