Guardians Force Game 5 Against White Sox

CHICAGO — In a thrilling Game 4 matchup, José Ramírez hit a home run and drove in three runs, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 9-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox. This win sets the stage for a decisive Game 5 in their AL Division Series.

Alongside Ramírez, Patrick Bailey also contributed with a home run, securing the Guardians’ second straight win in Chicago after starting the postseason with two losses at home.

Jo Adell made significant contributions as well, delivering a two-run single during a sixth-inning onslaught that saw the Guardians score six runs.

Cleveland is aiming to be the first major league team to overcome a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series since the 2017 Yankees managed to do so against — you guessed it — Cleveland.

Historically, teams with a 2-0 lead in these types of series have emerged victorious 83 out of 93 times.

The final game of the series will take place in Cleveland on Saturday night. The winner will advance to the American League Championship Series, facing off against Tampa Bay next Monday.

“It’s fitting that it’s come down to this after the back and forth we’ve had,” said White Sox manager Will Venable. “It’s been like that all year.”

However, Chicago’s bullpen, which has been a key asset throughout the season, looked exhausted. Grant Taylor struggled during the crucial sixth inning, having previously pitched well in the series and allowing four runs without getting a single out.

Miguel Vargas added a late homer for the White Sox, who missed another chance to clinch a postseason series at home—something they haven’t achieved since the 1906 World Series against the Cubs. Sam Antonacci drove in two runs during the game.

In a surprising twist, Gavin Williams made his first relief appearance for Cleveland, clinching the final three outs after Vargas’s homer in the ninth. Williams, who may be set to start Game 5, had just pitched two days prior.

He threw 18 pitches after a grueling 98 in his last outing, appearing as the seventh reliever in a game where 15 pitchers were used overall, taking 3 hours and 39 minutes to complete.

This season, Williams had an impressive record of 14-8, leading the AL with 248 strikeouts.

The Guardians, initially trailing 2-0, made a strong comeback in the fifth inning. Bailey opened the inning with a pinch-hit homer, followed by a single from Steven Kwan that chased pitcher Erick Fedde from the game.

Jordan Hicks stepped in, but Ramírez responded by powering a 99.9 mph fastball out of the park—his first postseason home run since 2024 and a much-needed boost for him after a tough stretch following an injury.

While the Guardians celebrated, the White Sox quickly countered, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the inning, much to the excitement of the 39,920 fans present. Antonacci was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and a sacrifice fly from Brenton Doyle brought the score to 4-3.

Despite having the bases loaded with two outs, rookie Braden Montgomery struck out swinging against winning pitcher Erik Sabrowski.

Remarkably, Antonacci has been hit by pitches 33 times this year, breaking the franchise record with 29 during the regular season. He also made a unique postseason mark as the first player to be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded multiple times in different games.

On the Chicago side, Anthony Kay started the sixth but was soon replaced by Taylor after the Guardians tied the game at 4 with Travis Bazzana’s RBI double.

Cleveland took control soon after, as Bailey’s single brought in a run, and further walks loaded the bases for Ramírez, who delivered an infield single to give the Guardians a lead. Chase DeLauter followed up with another run-scoring single, before Adell capped the scoring burst with a hit that brought home both Kwan and Ramírez.

“They’re making good swing decisions and getting solid contact,” said Venable. “When you walk guys, they make you pay. We managed to avoid that early in the series, but not in these last two games.”

Adell has been particularly effective, hitting a three-run triple in Game 3 and tallying four hits, three walks, and six RBIs throughout the series.