Guardians Rally Past White Sox in Game 4, Force Winner-Take-All Showdown for ALCS Berth
CHICAGO — The Cleveland Guardians were facing elimination just two days ago. Now, they are one victory away from advancing to the American League Championship Series.
Behind a six-run sixth inning and another timely performance from franchise cornerstone José Ramírez, Cleveland defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-5 Thursday night at Rate Field, evening the American League Division Series at two games apiece and forcing a decisive Game 5 at Progressive Field on Saturday.
After dropping the first two games of the series at home, the Guardians have responded with consecutive nine-run performances in Chicago, turning what appeared to be a disappointing postseason exit into an opportunity to complete a remarkable comeback. (MLB.com)
Thursday’s contest was anything but comfortable for Cleveland.
The White Sox struck first in the third inning, taking a 2-0 lead behind a bases-loaded walk from Munetaka Murakami and a sacrifice fly from Sam Antonacci. Chicago maintained that advantage until the fifth, when Cleveland’s offense finally broke through.
Patrick Bailey sparked the comeback with a pinch-hit solo home run off Erick Fedde before Ramírez delivered a two-run blast against reliever Jordan Hicks, giving the Guardians their first lead of the evening at 3-2.
Chicago answered immediately, reclaiming a 4-3 advantage in the bottom of the fifth on another run-scoring plate appearance from Antonacci and a sacrifice fly from Brenton Doyle.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the following inning.
Cleveland sent 10 batters to the plate in the sixth, capitalizing on Chicago’s struggling bullpen and producing six runs to take a commanding 9-4 lead. Travis Bazzana delivered a game-tying RBI double before Bailey put the Guardians ahead with a run-scoring single. Ramírez, Chase DeLauter and Jo Adell followed with additional offensive contributions, including a two-run single from Adell that capped the rally.
The six-run outburst tied for the third-most runs scored in a single postseason inning in Cleveland franchise history. (Reuters)
For Ramírez, the performance was another reminder of his importance to Cleveland’s postseason aspirations. The veteran third baseman finished with two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored, providing leadership and production when the Guardians needed it most.
Bailey also delivered one of the game’s defining performances, finishing with two hits, a home run and two RBIs after entering as a pinch hitter.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s bullpen, which had played a significant role in the White Sox building their initial 2-0 series lead, struggled to contain Cleveland’s lineup. Reliever Grant Taylor surrendered four runs without recording an out during the sixth-inning collapse. (Reuters)
The White Sox threatened again in the ninth when Miguel Vargas connected on a solo home run, but Gavin Williams entered in relief and secured the final three outs to preserve Cleveland’s victory.
The Guardians’ pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts, while Chicago stranded 12 runners on base, missed opportunities that ultimately proved costly in a game that remained competitive through five innings. (CBS Sports)
The victory places the Guardians in a position few teams have managed to reach after losing the first two games of a best-of-five postseason series. No MLB team has completed such a comeback since the 2017 New York Yankees, who accomplished the feat against Cleveland.
Now, the Guardians have an opportunity to reverse that history.
Saturday’s Game 5 will bring the series back to Progressive Field, where Cleveland will have the advantage of playing in front of its home crowd with a trip to the ALCS on the line.
For Chicago, the stakes are equally significant. After controlling the opening two games, the White Sox have watched their opportunity to advance slip away in consecutive contests. Their pitching staff must find a way to slow a Cleveland offense that has scored 18 runs over the past two games.
The winner will advance to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series, beginning Monday. Tampa Bay secured its place in the next round after eliminating the New York Yankees in three games. (Reuters)
What started as a commanding series lead for Chicago has developed into one of the most compelling matchups of the American League postseason.
For Cleveland, the equation is simple: one more victory to complete the comeback and keep its World Series aspirations alive.
And after two consecutive elimination-game victories on the road, the Guardians will return home Saturday with momentum firmly on their side.
