Guardians Force Game 5 With Huge Rally Against White Sox

Guardians Fight Back

The Cleveland Guardians are not done yet. After losing the first two games of the American League Division Series at home, Cleveland fought back to tie the series. They beat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Thursday night to force a decisive Game 5.

Jose Ramirez led the charge. He hit a home run and drove in three runs. Ramirez has been playing after recovering from surgery on a broken bone in his left hand from June. Pinch hit batter Patrick Bailey also hit a home run to help the Guardians win their second straight game.

Cleveland is trying to become the first major league team to come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best of five series since the 2017 New York Yankees did it. Historically, teams that lead 2-0 in these series go on to win 83 out of 93 times. Game 5 will be back in Cleveland on Saturday. The winner will play Tampa Bay on Monday.

The Sixth Inning Explosion

The game turned in the sixth inning. Cleveland scored six runs to break the game open. Jo Adell hit a two-run single to cap off the big inning. This outburst hit the White Sox bullpen hard. Grant Taylor, who had been excellent earlier in the series, struggled. He allowed four runs and four hits without getting a single out in the sixth.

White Sox manager Will Venable noticed his team's pitching struggles. "When you walk guys, they make you pay," Venable said. "We were able to get away with it a couple times the first couple games. These last two, just weren't able to."

Chicago tried to fight back late. Miguel Vargas hit a home run in the ninth, and rookie Sam Antonacci drove in two runs. Antonacci was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, making him the first player in postseason history to have that happen multiple times in a career.

But it was not enough. Gavin Williams came on in the ninth to get the final three outs for Cleveland. Williams, who went 14-8 in the regular season, made his first career relief appearance. He was the seventh reliever used by Cleveland in a game that lasted over three and a half hours.

What it means for the next game

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians (MLB, Sun, 11 Oct): Cleveland Guardians win 52%, Chicago White Sox win 48%; projected score Cleveland Guardians 4, Chicago White Sox 4. Our safest pick: White Sox +3.5.