Guardians Beat White Sox 9-5 to Force Winner-Take-All Game 5 in ALDS

Guardians Rally Behind Ramírez’s Home Run

The Cleveland Guardians are one win away from completing a remarkable comeback in the American League Division Series after defeating the Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Thursday night to even the best-of-five series at two games apiece.

José Ramírez homered and drove in three runs, while pinch-hitter Patrick Bailey also went deep as Cleveland won its second consecutive game after dropping the first two contests at home. The Guardians overcame an early two-run deficit before erupting for six runs in the sixth inning to take control and force a decisive Game 5 on Saturday night in Cleveland.

Jo Adell capped the decisive rally with a two-run single, continuing a productive series that has seen him contribute four hits, three walks and six RBIs. Sam Antonacci drove in two runs for Chicago, while Miguel Vargas homered late, but the White Sox could not overcome Cleveland’s offensive surge.

Cleveland is attempting to become the first major league team to rally from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five postseason series since the 2017 New York Yankees accomplished the feat against the Guardians. Historically, teams holding a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five postseason series have advanced 83 times in 93 opportunities, putting the pressure on Chicago heading into Saturday’s winner-take-all matchup.

Bailey Sparks Cleveland’s Comeback

The White Sox initially appeared positioned to close out the series after building a 2-0 lead, but Cleveland responded in the fifth inning with a rally that shifted the momentum. Bailey, entering as a pinch-hitter, led off the inning with a solo home run to get the Guardians on the scoreboard. Steven Kwan followed with a one-out single that chased Chicago starter Erick Fedde from the game and brought Jordan Hicks into the contest.

Ramírez welcomed Hicks with a powerful swing, driving a 99.9 mph fastball deep to right-center field for a three-run homer that gave Cleveland a 4-2 lead. It was Ramírez’s first postseason home run since 2024 and his fifth career playoff homer.

The seven-time All-Star has worked his way back from surgery after breaking a bone in his left hand on a swing June 13. His home run came after a 26-game stretch in which he had hit just two homers since Sept. 1, and it followed an impressive Game 3 performance in which he collected two hits and two RBIs in Cleveland’s 9-3 victory.

Chicago Responds but Leaves Opportunities Behind

The White Sox answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, bringing the crowd of 39,920 back into the game. Antonacci was hit by a pitch from Tim Herrin with the bases loaded, cutting Cleveland’s lead, before Brenton Doyle’s sacrifice fly made it 4-3.

Chicago had another opportunity with the bases loaded and two outs, but rookie Braden Montgomery struck out swinging against Erik Sabrowski to end the threat.

Antonacci’s hit-by-pitch continued an unusual postseason trend. He has been hit 33 times this season, including a franchise-record 29 times during the regular season. After also being hit with the bases loaded in Game 3, he became the first player in postseason history to be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded multiple times in a career.

Six-Run Sixth Inning Gives Cleveland Control

Cleveland delivered the decisive blow in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a Chicago bullpen that had been one of the team’s biggest strengths during its surprising season. Anthony Kay began the inning for the White Sox, but Travis Bazzana’s RBI double tied the game at 4-4 and ended Kay’s outing. Grant Taylor replaced him, only to watch the Guardians continue their assault.

Bailey greeted Taylor with a run-scoring single to put Cleveland ahead. Walks to Brayan Rocchio and Kwan loaded the bases for Ramírez, who followed with an infield single to extend the lead to 6-4. Chase DeLauter added another RBI single before Adell capped the six-run outburst with a liner to right field that brought home Kwan and Ramírez, pushing the Guardians further ahead at 9-4.

The inning was particularly damaging for Chicago because Taylor had been effective in the first two games of the series, recording 5 1/3 scoreless innings. On Thursday, however, he allowed four runs and four hits without recording an out against any of the six batters he faced during Cleveland’s rally.

Adell also continued to make his presence felt after hitting a three-run triple in Game 3. His six RBIs through the series have helped power Cleveland’s offense as the Guardians attempt to complete their comeback.

Vargas Homers Late as Guardians Close Out the Win

Chicago managed a late run when Vargas opened the ninth inning with his first postseason home run, trimming the deficit to 9-5. Cleveland turned to Gavin Williams to record the final three outs and secure the victory.

Williams, who started Game 2 for the Guardians, made his first career relief appearance to finish the game. His availability could prove important heading into Saturday, as he remains a potential starting option for the decisive contest.

The loss marked another missed opportunity for the White Sox, who had two chances to clinch the series at home but could not finish the job. Chicago is still seeking its first postseason series victory at home since the 1906 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. The bullpen’s recent struggles will also be a concern for the White Sox after Cleveland scored nine runs in consecutive victories to erase the momentum built by Chicago’s opening two wins.

ALDS Game 5 Set for Saturday Night in Cleveland

The series now comes down to one game, with the winner advancing and the loser’s season ending. Cleveland will have home-field advantage as it attempts to become the first team since the 2017 Yankees to overcome a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five postseason series.

For the Guardians, Ramírez’s power, Bailey’s timely pinch-hit home run and the sixth-inning offensive explosion have transformed a series that appeared to be slipping away into a winner-take-all opportunity.

Chicago, meanwhile, must regroup after surrendering its series advantage and find a way to stabilize a bullpen that struggled to contain Cleveland’s lineup in Games 3 and 4. With the series tied 2-2, Saturday night’s Game 5 in Cleveland will determine which team advances to the American League Championship Series.