Cubs’ bats come to life in finale

Mike Olt hit his first career grand slam, Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo also homered and the Cubs clobbered the White Sox 12-5 to avoid a four-game sweep in the crosstown showdown finale Thursday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

Olt’s slam highlighted a five-run eighth inning against reliever Maikel Cleto, who also grazed Welington Castillo on the shoulder with a pitch to force in a run with the bases loaded, walked three and uncorked a wild pitch.

The Cubs’ barrage against Cleto halted a scoreless streak of 23⅓ innings for the Sox’ bullpen.

“We had some balls hit well, had some thump, so it was a good day today,” Cubs manager Rick Renteria said.

Right-hander Scott Carroll, who was outstanding in his first two career starts for the Sox, was tagged for six runs and nine hits, including Rizzo’s seventh homer and Castro’s fifth. The Cubs sent 10 men to the plate in a four-run third against the 29-year-old rookie, who struggled with his sinker.

“He just couldn’t control it tonight, and anytime he got it over the plate, they hit it hard,” Sox manager Robin Ventura said.

Carroll and Cubs starter Jake Arrieta took their lumps. Arrieta gave up four runs (three earned) and nine hits, including RBI singles from Moises Sierra, Tyler Flowers (two RBI) and Conor Gillaspie.

Jose Abreu, who has dealt with a sore left ankle off and on since spring training, didn’t finish the game, but Ventura said it’s not serious.

“He was limping around a little bit, but he says he’s fine,” Ventura said.

The Sox (18-18), who had a season-high four-game winning streak halted, took three of four from the Cubs (12-21).