Guardians Force ALDS Game 5 With Win Over White Sox
Cleveland's two fifth-inning home runs powered a 9-5 victory, extending the series against Chicago.
The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-5 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, forcing a decisive Game 5 on Saturday. The victory marked the Guardians' second consecutive win and kept alive their hopes of advancing to the ALCS for the first time since 2005.
Chicago had an opportunity to end its long American League Championship Series drought with a win in Game 4. The White Sox took an early 1-0 lead, which they extended to 2-0 in the third inning on Sam Antonacci’s sacrifice fly. However, the Guardians responded in the top of the fifth inning with two home runs, including one by Patrick Bailey, to take a 3-2 lead.
The White Sox briefly regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. After Antonacci was hit by a pitch, Chicago rallied to tie the game at 3-3. Brenton Doyle’s sacrifice fly then put the White Sox ahead 4-3.
That proved to be Chicago's final lead of the game. The Guardians scored two runs in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. They added three more runs in the eighth to secure their 9-5 win.
Miguel Vargas hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth for the White Sox, narrowing the deficit to 9-5. Chicago managed to put two runners on base later in the inning but could not complete the comeback.
Game 5 of the ALDS is scheduled to be played in Cleveland on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.