The Chicago White Sox rallied late in Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians but ultimately fell 4-3 in a 10-inning contest at Rate Field. The game, which began following a 2-hour, 40-minute rain delay, drew an attendance of 17,664 fans and featured a tense back-and-forth battle between two teams tied atop the American League Central.
Trailing 3-1 heading into the ninth inning, the White Sox mounted an impressive comeback against Guardians closer Cade Smith. Braden Montgomery and Randal Grichuk hit consecutive home runs—Montgomery’s to center field and Grichuk’s to left—to knot the score at 3-3 and force extra innings. Despite the Sox’s valiant effort, Cleveland responded in the 10th when Kahlil Watson delivered the decisive run with a single, keeping the Guardians from a series sweep and giving them a 4-3 victory.
Pitching dominated most of the afternoon, with the first five innings scoreless. Cleveland broke through in the sixth inning, beginning with a Brayan Rocchio single. An error by White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery allowed bases to become loaded, and after a strikeout, Watson’s two-run single put the Guardians ahead. Those two runs came off bulk pitcher Erick Fedde, who worked four innings and permitted two runs (one earned) on five hits, while managing two strikeouts and three walks. Guardians starter Tanner Bibee held the White Sox scoreless over six innings, allowing just three hits.
Chicago’s offense was limited until the ninth. After a sacrifice fly by Montgomery brought in a run, the Guardians extended their lead with another run in the eighth. However, the Sox’s late surge forced extra innings, demonstrating their resilience despite the eventual loss.
Tuesday’s game had featured the White Sox securing their ninth consecutive home series victory, marking their longest streak since 2003. Their strong home performance continues this season with a 26-13 record at Rate Field, tying them with the Tampa Bay Rays for the best home record in Major League Baseball. The team has gone 22-5 over its last 27 home games, a trend praised by starting pitcher Sean Burke, who noted the consistently strong fan support and his excitement to pitch at home.
Rookie players have been instrumental in the Sox’s recent success, contributing significantly in high-pressure moments. Left fielder Sam Antonacci’s two-run single in Monday’s ninth inning led to a 6-5 win against the Guardians, one of three walk-off hits by rookies this season. Antonacci emphasized the team-first mentality, acknowledging the ups and downs of individual performance but highlighting the importance of mutual support among teammates.
Despite their determination and late-game rallies, the White Sox were unable to complete the comeback Wednesday, falling just short in a tightly contested matchup that kept the AL Central race competitive as the season progresses. Chicago holds a 41-38 record, while Cleveland sits slightly ahead at 42-39.