The Chicago White Sox secured a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field in front of 23,151 fans. The game ended on a contentious walk-off single by rookie Sam Antonacci in the bottom of the ninth inning, followed by an extended replay review before the call was upheld.
Antonacci’s hit appeared to clinch the win immediately, but the Guardians challenged the safe call at home plate involving baserunner Tristan Peters. Plate umpire Nick Mahrley initially ruled Peters safe, prompting a tense delay as players from both teams awaited the replay decision. After reviewing the footage, crew chief Marvin Hudson confirmed the call on the field, affirming the White Sox’s victory by a narrow margin.
“It was incredibly close,” Hudson said, noting that the replay officials found insufficient evidence to overturn the call. Pitcher Chris Murphy, who earned the win after pitching the ninth inning, recalled the uncertainty. “I was in the dugout ready to pitch again if we went to the 10th, but the first replay showed he was safe,” Murphy said.
Anthony Kay had delivered six scoreless innings earlier for Chicago, overcoming the challenge of pitching to catcher Kyle Teel, who had returned from injury after missing the first 76 games of the season. Teel’s presence behind the plate marked an important step in his recovery.
The Guardians rallied late in the game, scoring three runs off reliever Grant Taylor in the seventh to tie the score and taking a one-run lead in the ninth against closer Seranthony Domínguez, who was met with boos from the home crowd during his outing. Despite their late surge and a recent history of dominance over Chicago—winning 15 of their last 17 meetings—the Guardians could not hold off the White Sox’s resilience.
Antonacci’s go-ahead run was set up in the eighth inning when a ground ball with a broken bat bounced past first baseman Rhys Hoskins, allowing the rookie to reach base and eventually score the winning run. Braden Montgomery, another rookie, also contributed with two doubles, a walk, and two runs scored, describing the moment as “special” amid the energetic crowd.
Murphy emphasized the team’s perseverance in the face of tough competition. “The Guardians’ Cade Smith has been one of the best relievers in baseball, shutting us down in the eighth. But we kept fighting and got to him in the ninth,” Murphy said. “This is what this team does—there’s no giving up. You’re not going to beat us; we keep punching back.”
With the victory, the White Sox and Guardians remain tied for first place in the American League Central division, setting up what promises to be an intense rivalry moving forward.