Sam Antonacci surely wishes he could have that moment back.
During a crucial game on Tuesday night, the White Sox left fielder misjudged a fly ball, which allowed Brayan Rocchio’s walk-off double to lead the Guardians to a 7-6 victory. Both teams are in a tight race for the AL Central title.
When Rocchio stepped up to the plate, the Guardians were down 6-5, with two outs and runners on second and third in the ninth inning.
He connected with a fly ball that drifted toward the left-field corner, but Antonacci’s diving attempt fell short, allowing two runs to score—tying the game and clinching the win.
“Honestly, that was pretty bad,” Antonacci acknowledged, reflecting on his tracking of the ball. “I just need to do better. This is the big leagues; you can’t take those kinds of routes in that situation.”
This victory narrowed the White Sox’s lead in the AL Central to just half a game as the teams prepared for the series finale on Wednesday in Cleveland, marking their last matchup of the season.
The White Sox, who have struggled in recent years with over 100 losses in each of the past three seasons, have enjoyed a share of first place since July 4.
After the ball hit the ground, Rocchio celebrated dramatically, tossing his helmet into the air as the Guardians’ dugout erupted onto the field. Rocchio has developed a reputation for coming through in clutch moments, especially in September, where four of his walk-off hits have occurred.
“I wasn’t trying to be a hero there,” Rocchio explained. “Just wanted to make contact and see what happens.”
Rookie Travis Bazzana contributed significantly to the Guardians’ effort, hitting two home runs. Closer Cade Smith (6-1) managed to secure five outs with just 16 pitches, putting him in good shape for Wednesday’s game.
In the first inning, Jo Adell and Bazzana hit back-to-back home runs, giving the Guardians a 3-0 lead that they ultimately struggled to maintain—a win that allowed them to keep their division title hopes alive.
After falling behind 4-2, the White Sox responded with four runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Miguel Vargas’s two-out single that put them ahead.
Chicago loaded the bases against Cleveland’s Craig Yoho with two walks and a single. Then Chase Meidroth drove in a run with a single, Randal Grichuk contributed with a sacrifice fly, and Vargas followed up with a solid single into left field off reliever Hunter Gaddis.
Adell’s acquisition at the trade deadline aimed to enhance Cleveland’s power lineup, and he certainly delivered with a 442-foot homer in the first inning, marking his 22nd of the season.
— With AP
