The Cleveland Guardians moved into first place in the American League Central with a 6-3 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox on Thursday. The victory came during the second game of a three-game series, allowing the Guardians to gain a half-game lead over Chicago as they pursue a third consecutive division title.

Petey Halpin was a key contributor for Cleveland, hitting a three-run home run in a pivotal four-run sixth inning that helped secure the win. José Ramírez also had a notable performance, doubling twice to tie Nap Lajoie for second place on the franchise’s career doubles list with 424. Jo Adell contributed offensively as well, driving in two runs with a single in the third inning.

The White Sox, who had held first place for 74 straight days, have struggled recently, dropping seven of their last nine games and 12 of 17 overall. Their difficult stretch included setbacks in this series, as they failed to regain the division lead.

In addition to the team’s performance challenges, White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery left the game in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch, resulting in a bruised left wrist. His status remains uncertain following the injury.

With the win, the Guardians have positioned themselves as frontrunners in the AL Central as the season progresses, while the White Sox look to regroup after a series of losses that have weakened their hold on first place. The two teams will meet again later in the series, with both vying for crucial divisional standings.