The Cleveland Guardians kept their season alive Thursday, defeating the Chicago White Sox 9-5 at Rate Field to force Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
Cleveland scored nine runs against an ineffective White Sox bullpen after Chicago used seven pitchers in the loss. Four different White Sox pitchers allowed runs, with Grant Taylor giving up four earned without recording an out.
José Ramírez had another big game for the Guardians, going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Patrick Bailey came off the bench to go 2-for-3 with a round-tripper of his own for Cleveland.
The White Sox made things interesting in the ninth inning. Miguel Vargas hit a solo homer off Guardians closer Cade Smith, who was pitching a second inning in back-to-back appearances.
Stephen Vogt turned to scheduled Game 5 starter Gavin Williams to finish the contest. Williams allowed a single to Sam Antonacci before getting three straight outs to give Cleveland the win.
Erik Sabrowski, who was one of eight pitchers used by the Guardians, earned the win, while White Sox left-hander Anthony Kay was tabbed with the loss.
"As we've battled back and forth with these guys, obviously fitting that it's going to come down to this," White Sox manager Will Venable said postgame, according to the Associated Press. "It's been how the back and forth has been all year."
The ALDS heads back to Progressive Field for the winner-take-all tilt. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
