The Chicago White Sox were one victory away from the American League Championship Series. Now they’re one loss away from elimination.
The Cleveland Guardians scored six runs in the sixth inning Thursday night, defeating Chicago 9-5 at Rate Field and tying the American League Division Series at two games apiece. After losing the first two games at home, Cleveland has won twice in Chicago to force a decisive Game 5.
For the White Sox, who swept the Houston Astros out of the Wild Card Series, it’s the second consecutive missed opportunity to advance. Instead of celebrating their first postseason series victory at home since the 1906 World Series, they’ll head back to Cleveland with their season on the line.
Ramírez and Bailey Spark the Comeback
Chicago took a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Munetaka Murakami drew a bases-loaded walk and Sam Antonacci followed with a sacrifice fly.
The Guardians answered in the fifth. Pinch-hitter Patrick Bailey opened the inning with a solo home run off Erick Fedde, and José Ramírez followed with a two-run shot off Jordan Hicks, giving Cleveland a 3-2 advantage.
Ramírez’s home run briefly quieted the Chicago crowd, but the White Sox responded immediately.
Antonacci was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing home the tying run, and Brenton Doyle added a sacrifice fly to put Chicago back in front, 4-3.
That lead wouldn’t survive the next inning.
Six-Run Sixth Buries Chicago
Chicago’s bullpen had been one of its biggest strengths during the postseason. Thursday, it became the deciding factor in Cleveland’s comeback.
Angel Martínez opened the sixth by getting hit by a pitch, then stole second. Travis Bazzana tied the game with an RBI double off Anthony Kay, sending Martínez home.
Manager Will Venable turned to Grant Taylor, who had recorded saves in both of Chicago’s victories to open the series. Taylor had pitched four innings in Game 1 and another 1 1/3 innings in Game 2, providing the White Sox with valuable relief work.
This time, Taylor couldn’t record an out.
Bailey greeted him with a run-scoring single, giving Cleveland a 5-4 lead. Walks to Brayan Rocchio and Steven Kwan loaded the bases before Ramírez added an RBI infield single.
Chase DeLauter followed with another run-scoring single, and Jo Adell delivered a two-run hit to right field, stretching Cleveland’s lead to 9-4.
Taylor faced six batters, allowing four hits and two walks. All six reached base, and four scored.
The Guardians sent 10 batters to the plate during the inning, turning a one-run deficit into a five-run advantage.
White Sox Leave Too Many Opportunities Behind
Chicago’s offense continued creating scoring opportunities, but the White Sox stranded 12 runners.
Antonacci drove in two runs, while Colson Montgomery collected two hits. Miguel Vargas opened the ninth with a solo home run off Cade Smith, trimming Cleveland’s lead to 9-5.
Smith then walked Murakami, prompting Cleveland to bring in Gavin Williams. Williams allowed a single but recorded the final three outs, securing the victory.
Cleveland’s pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, while Chicago’s staff issued seven walks.
Ramírez finished with three RBIs, Bailey drove in two, and Adell delivered another important hit after his three-run triple helped Cleveland win Game 3.
Erik Sabrowski earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief, while Kay took the loss.
Everything Comes Down to Saturday
Cleveland is attempting to become just the 11th team to win a best-of-five postseason series after losing the first two games. Of the previous 18 teams that forced a Game 5 after falling behind 2-0, 10 completed the comeback.
The Guardians have also scored nine runs in consecutive postseason games for only the second time in franchise history, matching a feat last accomplished during the 1997 World Series.
For Chicago, the question is whether its bullpen can recover after surrendering 18 runs over the past two games. The White Sox were in control of the series after winning the first two games in Cleveland, but the momentum has shifted.
The series returns to Progressive Field on Saturday, October 10, for Game 5 at 7 p.m. CT. The game will air on TBS, truTV, and UniMás, with streaming available on HBO Max. The winner will advance to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series, beginning Monday, October 12.
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers have already secured their places in the NLCS, which begins Sunday, October 11, in Milwaukee.
Three championship series berths have been decided. The fourth now comes down to one final game between Cleveland and Chicago.
