The Chicago White Sox came to town coming off of back-to-back series losses and have been hunting for the divisional title. The Cleveland Guardians put up a feckless fight last night, but looked to still be in the fight to start tonight’s game.
Foster Griffin, sandwiched between Gavin and Parker starts, was pulled after 4.0 innings of work. Griffin gave up two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out five. Stephen Vogt was super aggressive with the bullpen today with an off day coming on Thursday,
something that played into his favor. Erik Sabrowski pitched a clean fifth inning, walking one and striking out two. Craig Yoho struggled hard in the sixth, only pitch 0.1 innings. He allowed three runs on one hit and two walks.
Hunter Gaddis recorded his fourth blown save of the season, throwing 1.0 full inning. He allowed one run on two hits. Tim Herrin locked back in after last night’s outing and threw a scoreless 1.0 before Vogt turned to Cade Smith early in the eighth. Cade pitched 1.2 innings and was solid. He struck out one.
This game ended up giving me whiplash from the roller coaster of emotions; the epitome of the “its so over, we’re so back” meme. In the bottom of the first things looked like they were going to be smooth sailing for Cleveland. Steven Kwan drew a lead off walk and quickly scored when Jo Adell hit a towering home run to the bleachers, scoring two.
Travis Bazzana got in on the home run action immediately, following Adell with a homer to right center.
In the bottom of the fifth, back-to-back singles and an forceout had Rocchio on third and Ramírez on first. A flubbed pickoff attempt gave Rocchio the lane to score, giving an insurance run.
When Cleveland took the early lead, it made me feel confident, but the White Sox quickly reminded me that they have some fantastic hitters on the team. The White Sox answered immediately in the sixth inning, taking a two run lead over the Guardians.
In the bottom of the sixth Travis Bazzana brought Cleveland within one with his second home run of the night.
In the bottom of the ninth, down one, Cleveland had one last shot to save their AL Central pennant goal. Nathaniel Lowe hit a hard single, 106.9 mph off the bat, to right field to start the inning. He was lifted for Daniel Schneemann to pinch-run. Patrick Bailey drew a crucial one-out walk and Petey Halpin grounded out to first to move both runners into scoring position. David Fry was brought in to pinch-run for Bailey.
With two outs, two on, none other than high leverage Mr. Late Season himself was up to bat. Brayan Rocchio took a called strike, fouled off the next pitch, then hit a sinker out of the zone 100.9 mph to left field for the walk off double.
And because I can, here are the Hammy and Los Guardians calls:
The Guardians are only half a game behind the White Sox with the rubber match tomorrow.
