Guardians Rally Past White Sox 9-5 to Force Decisive ALDS Game 5

Jose Ramirez hit a go-ahead two-run home run off a 99.9 mph sinker to help the Cleveland Guardians secure a 9-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Thursday night to tie the American League Division Series at two games apiece. Trailing 2-1 in the fourth inning, Jose Ramirez hit a two-run home run off a 99.9 mph sinker from reliever Jordan Hicks to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead. Ramirez finished the night with three RBIs, including a run-scoring infield single during a decisive six-run sixth inning.

Chicago’s bullpen, which entered the game having surrendered zero runs this postseason, collapsed in the middle frames. Relievers Jordan Hicks, Anthony Kay, and Grant Taylor combined to allow nine runs over 4 2⁄3 innings. The Guardians broke the game open in the sixth with three consecutive bases-loaded singles, including a hit by Jo Adell that extended the lead to six runs. Patrick Bailey also contributed to the offense with a pinch-hit home run and a later RBI single.

The White Sox opened the scoring in the first inning when Munetaka Murakami drew a bases-loaded walk. Sam Antonacci added two RBIs via a sacrifice fly and a hit-by-pitch, while Brenton Doyle recorded a sacrifice fly to briefly regain a 2-1 lead for Chicago. Miguel Vargas provided a late highlight for the South Side with a solo home run in the ninth inning, but the rally fell short as Gavin Williams recorded the final three outs for Cleveland.

This victory sends the series back to Cleveland for a winner-take-all Game 5 on Saturday, with a spot in the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays at stake. Gavin Williams is expected to start for the Guardians against the White Sox's Sean Burke.