The Cleveland Guardians completed a comeback from an 0-2 deficit to defeat the Chicago White Sox 2-0 in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday night. With the victory, the Guardians advance to the AL Championship Series, where they will face Tampa Bay.
Guardians pitchers recorded 21 strikeouts in the decisive game, the most in a nine-inning postseason game in MLB history. The White Sox managed only three hits over the nine innings and struck out 75 times throughout the series. This marks the first playoff appearance for the White Sox since they achieved three consecutive 100-loss seasons.
Gavin Williams was a key contributor for Cleveland, striking out 12 batters. He became the third pitcher in postseason history to record the final out of a game and then start the next game when his team was facing elimination in both contests. Williams did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, when Kyle Teel singled with two outs. The outing was Williams' second stellar performance of the series, following his save in Game 4.
José Ramírez provided the game's only offense with a two-run home run in the sixth inning. It was his second consecutive game with a home run.
Following Williams, relievers Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith continued the shutout effort. Smith earned his first career five-out save, striking out the side in the ninth inning to secure the win.
The Guardians, who haven't reached the World Series since 2016, will open the AL Championship Series on Monday night. The franchise's last World Series title came in 1948.
The White Sox, who last won the World Series in 2004, were making their first postseason appearance in years after enduring multiple losing seasons.