Offense lacking for White Sox in ace’s return

CHICAGO — Aroldis Chapman got the final four outs for his first save with the Cubs, and John Lackey outdueled Chris Sale on Thursday night to end the intracity series in a split decision, with each team able to brag that they defended home turf.

Lackey picked up the win, his first since June 8, as the Cubs edged the White Sox, 3-1, at Wrigley Field to close the Interleague series against their crosstown rivals and spoil Sale’s bid for his Major League-leading 15th win.

There were no wardrobe malfunctions regarding Sale. The lefty was scheduled to go Saturday but was scratched after he destroyed the 1976 throwback uniforms to be worn that night. Sale, making his first start since July 18, scattered six hits and walked three over six innings, and he also singled in the sixth.

“I think Lackey was just better tonight,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “After the first inning, we really couldn’t get anything going.”

Each team scored in the first, and Ben Zobrist hit a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the third. The Cubs, who boast the best home record in the National League at 32-16, have won six of eight games at Wrigley Field since the All-Star break.

Chapman entered with a runner on third and two outs in the eighth, and struck out Melky Cabrera on six pitches, with four registering 100 mph or higher. The other two were 99 mph.

“It’s exciting,” Anthony Rizzo said of Chapman’s outings. “When he’s pitching, you stay to see what he does because he’s that type of player. What he does for our bullpen, it’s incredible to add a guy like that.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Bryant vs. Sale: Prior to Thursday, Kris Bryant was 0-for-6 against Sale, striking out all six times, but in the All-Star Game, the Cubs third baseman hit a home run on the first pitch he saw from the lefty. On Thursday, Sale walked Dexter Fowler, who then scored on Bryant’s double to center to …

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