CHICAGO -- John Lackey got back on the winning track with a sharp six-inning effort, but said individual wins and losses aren't that big a deal.

"There's a lot of things that go into a win," said Lackey after the Chicago Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox 3-1 on Thursday to conclude a four-game crosstown series. "Wins are kind of a team thing. It was nice to get one (individually) and hopefully as a team keep we'll winning games. That's the most important thing."

Lackey's strong outing was almost overshadowed by new left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman, who wowed the Wrigley Field crowd for the second straight night -- this time with four straight outs -- for his 21st save of the season and first as a Cub.

Still, it was Lackey's efforts that got the Cubs to a point where relievers could preserve a victory -- his first since June 8 to end an eight-game run that included five losses and three no-decisions.

"I had a pretty good mix tonight," Lackey said. "I had a four-mix pitch a little better than I've had recently. I've had some conversations with people and that kind of changed things up a little bit. And Willie (rookie catcher Willson Contreras) is getting better at calling the game and suggesting different things."

Lackey (8-7) also out dueled White Sox ace Chris Sale (14-4). Sale was pitching for the first time since he was suspended for an outburst which included destroying team uniforms last Saturday.

The teams finished with two wins apiece at their respective home parks in the four-game series.

"We took two where we were supposed to take ours and they came back and felt comfortable here," White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton said. "We play in Wrigley twice a year and they play at the Cell (U.S. Cellular FIeld) twice a year, so I think the comfort definitely played out."

Ben Zobrist went 2-for-4 and singled home Dexter Fowler with the Cubs' go-ahead run in the third inning. Zobrist doubled in the eighth, reached third on an error and scored on Addison Russell's fielder's choice grounder to shortstop off reliever Nate Jones.

Lackey worked six innings and left for pinch hitter David Ross with two out and runners at first and second. Sale got out of the jam by striking out Ross looking on his 111th pitch.

That was also it for Sale, who was replaced by Jones. Sale allowed two runs on six hits, walked three and struck out four.

Lackey allowed one run on four hits, struck out four and walked one.

"We had to get (Lackey) out because of the situation, but you look down and you've got (Pedro) Strop, (Hector) Rondon and Chapman ready to go tonight," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "It was the right thing to do at that moment."

Rondon worked two-thirds of the eighth inning, leaving a runner on third for Chapman.

Chapman struck out Melky Cabrera with a 102-mile-per-hour fastball to close the inning. He worked a one-two-three ninth, including one strikeout.

Sale appeared rusty from his nine-day layoff in the early going. He walked two, hit a batter and gave up three hits while throwing 60 pitches through his first three innings.

Sale gave up a first-inning RBI double to Kris Bryant that scored Fowler from first to force a 1-1 tie. In the third, Zobrist singled up the middle with one out to drive home Fowler for a 2-1 Cubs lead.

"I thought he pitched a good game," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He had the walk and a hit by pitch that ends up costing us but he pitched a good game and I thought he swing it well, too. I think Lackey was just better tonight."

The White Sox claimed a 1-0 lead with one out in the first. Cabrera doubled to right, plating Tim Anderson, who had reached on an infield hit. But that's all the White Sox could manage off Lackey.

"Johnny (Lackey) was outstanding after that first inning," said Maddon. "He pitched really well after that and we had opportunities to score more runs after that.''

NOTES: The White Sox entered Thursday's series finale with a 2.29 ERA in their previous 10 games, third lowest in the major leagues during that span. ... Thursday's starters -- White Sox LHP Chris Sale and Cubs RHP Jon Lackey -- each had thrown 2,016 pitches this season coming the series finale. ... The White Sox continue their eight-game road trip Friday at Minnesota as LHP Jose Quintana (8-8, 2,97 ERA) goes against Twins RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 5.40 ERA). ... The Cubs' addition of LHP Aroldis Chapman gives them three relievers with at least 75 career saves apiece. Chapman has 167, RHP Joe Nathan 377 and RHP Hector Rondon 77. ... The Cubs send LHP Jon Lester (10-4, 3.09 ERA) against Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma (11-6, 3.96 ERA) on Friday in the opener of a three-game interleague series against the Mariners at Wrigley Field.