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Levine: Cubs Extend Win Streak To 9

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The streak has a life of its own, as the Chicago Cubs continue to be the big story in baseball. On Saturday, a sloppy game on both ends of the city rivalry was tilted the Cubs' way after they scored three runs in the seventh inning off three White Sox relief pitchers in an eventual 6-3 win.

Jake Arrieta outdueled Jose Quintana, tying the major league lead in wins with 14. The Cubs have used outstanding pitching and just enough run production to win 15 out of their last 16 games, including nine in a row. They have put a stranglehold on the National Leagues' second wild-card entry.

"I have been throwing the ball well, and I expect to do that," said Arrieta, who passed his career high in innings pitched with 163 1/3. "We are on a really good roll right now. We feel the next guy up just looks to keep it (the streak) going. That is the mindset we have as a rotation."

An error-filled contest allowed numerous opportunities for both Chicago teams. Four errors were part of the mix, but mistakes of omission were just as prevalent as the physical miscues that appeared on the board.

"We had been playing much better defense," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You put the mistakes from tonight behind you. Still, you know why you were in a tough spot tonight."

Kyle Schwarber and Addison Russell each had big hits, as the Cubs' kiddie corp continues to learn on the fly and win ballgames.

"We are in a position and in the hunt, having our guys step up in moments like this," Arrieta said. "It speaks very highly of their ability to make adjustments on a pretty consistent basis. That is really tough to do."

Cubs manager Joe Maddon keeps getting the message across to his talented young group.

"When you talk about teams at the end of the year who win championships, it is a different bus driver every day," Maddon said. "That phrase is used a lot. A different hero every day. A team that takes advantage of every situation. They are like a tightly knit family. You hear all those same phases when teams play well."

The Cubs' nine-game win streak is their longest since June 26-July 3 of 2008.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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