Six-run sixth sends Cleveland past Chicago, 9–5, and forces ALDS Game 5

Cleveland turned a one-run deficit into a five-run lead in the sixth inning, beating the White Sox 9–5 Thursday night at Rate Field to keep its postseason alive. The six-run rally evened the American League Division Series at two games apiece and sent the best-of-five matchup to a deciding game in Cleveland.

José Ramírez drove in three runs, Patrick Bailey added two and Jo Adell supplied a two-run single in the decisive inning. The Guardians finished with 10 hits against Chicago’s 8, recovering after the White Sox had twice moved ahead.

The sixth changes the game and the series

Chicago led 4–3 when Cleveland began its sixth-inning rally. Travis Bazzana doubled home Angel Martínez to tie it, and Bailey’s single scored Bazzana for the lead. Ramírez and Chase DeLauter then added RBI singles before Adell drove in Steven Kwan and Ramírez to make it 9–4.

The rally spread the damage across five run-scoring hits. It also kept Chicago from protecting the narrow lead its offense had rebuilt in the previous half-inning. Cleveland did not need another home run to take control; it kept putting runners aboard and bringing them home.

Grant Taylor faced six batters without recording an out, allowing four hits and two walks. Anthony Kay had preceded him in the inning. Bryan Hudson eventually stopped the scoring, but the Guardians had already changed the shape of the game.

Earlier home runs were only the first answer

The White Sox opened a 2–0 lead in the third. Munetaka Murakami’s bases-loaded walk brought home Colson Montgomery, and Sam Antonacci’s sacrifice fly scored Chase Meidroth.

Cleveland answered with two fifth-inning home runs. Bailey hit a solo shot, then Ramírez’s two-run homer put the Guardians ahead 3–2. Chicago immediately reclaimed the advantage: Antonacci was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Meidroth, and Brenton Doyle’s sacrifice fly scored Miguel Vargas for a 4–3 lead.

That exchange made the sixth decisive. Both teams had found a way to answer an earlier deficit, but Cleveland’s six-run inning left Chicago needing a much larger comeback.

Cleveland survives a demanding pitching night

Parker Messick lasted 2⅓ innings for the Guardians, allowing two runs with five strikeouts and four walks. Cleveland’s relief work had to cover the rest. Tanner Bibee was charged with Chicago’s two fifth-inning runs, and Erik Sabrowski earned the win with a scoreless inning.

Chicago threatened again in the ninth. Vargas homered off Cade Smith to cut the deficit to 9–5, and Murakami followed with a walk. Gavin Williams took over and allowed an Antonacci single, putting two runners aboard with nobody out.

Williams then struck out Andrew Benintendi and got a force out from Kyle Teel before Braden Montgomery lined out to Steven Kwan in left field. The White Sox left two runners on base in the ninth and 12 for the game; Cleveland had survived the last push.

The win does not settle the series. It gives Cleveland another opportunity after entering Thursday one loss from elimination. Chicago, which could have advanced at home, now has to win on the road to move on.

Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Progressive Field, with an 8 p.m. Eastern start. The winner advances; Thursday’s result leaves both clubs with that possibility.