Guardians bats come alive at the right moment to save their season and ruin Chicago's vibes

Covered by The New York Times, Aol and 4 more since

  • Cleveland
  • Chicago
  • José Ramírez (infielder)
  • Major League Baseball
  • Jo Adell
  • Will Venable
  • Sean Newcomb
  • Pitcher
Empty baseball field at dusk under stadium lights, a bat leaning on the dugout rail as distant fans leave, city skyline beyond.

What happened

The Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 9-3 on Wednesday in Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Rate Field, avoiding a sweep. Jo Adell and José Ramírez hit key two-out triples. Chicago struck out 19 times and its pitchers walked 10 batters. The White Sox still lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 set for Thursday in Chicago.

Summary

The Cleveland Guardians kept their season alive Wednesday, beating the Chicago White Sox 9-3 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. A sold-out crowd of 40,590 came to Rate Field in black shirts, hoping to see the White Sox clinch a playoff series at home for the first time in 120 years. Chicago led 1-0 on Kyle Teel's first-inning double. Cleveland answered with four runs in the third, capped by Jo Adell's three-run triple off rookie Hagen Smith. José Ramírez later added a two-run triple in the eighth. It was the first time the Guardians had two triples in a postseason game. [1] [2] [3] [5]

The game broke a pattern. Cleveland had scored just three runs in the first two games combined, and the White Sox had won their first four playoff games with bullpen-heavy pitching plans. This time Chicago used seven pitchers, walked 10 batters, five of whom scored, and its hitters struck out 19 times. Cleveland reliever Foster Griffin set a team record for a reliever with seven strikeouts. Manager Will Venable said the Guardians had made his team "pay for walks" in a way they hadn't earlier in the series. Rookie Noah Schultz gave Chicago three innings and allowed one run. [1] [2] [3] [5]

Chicago still leads the series 2-1, and Game 4 is Thursday in Chicago. Cleveland will start left-hander Parker Messick, who took the loss in Game 1. MLB.com and ESPN reported that the White Sox had not named a starter, but Fox News reported that Smith would open. Because Venable saved key relievers, closer Grant Taylor, Jordan Hicks and Erick Fedde are rested. A Chicago loss would send the series to Cleveland for a deciding Game 5. Fox News reported that the winner will face the Rays in the AL Championship Series. [1] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 6 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

Who won ALDS Game 3 between the Guardians and White Sox?

The Guardians won 9-3 at Rate Field on Wednesday, avoiding elimination. Jo Adell's three-run triple and José Ramírez's two-run triple drove in most of their key runs. [2] [3]

When is Game 4 and who is pitching?

Game 4 is Thursday in Chicago, with Parker Messick starting for Cleveland. Most outlets said Chicago had not announced its plan, while Fox News reported that Hagen Smith would open a bullpen game. [3] [4] [5]

What happens if the White Sox lose Game 4?

The series would return to Cleveland for a deciding Game 5. The White Sox could keep right-hander Sean Burke available for that game, according to The New York Times. [1]

Sources 6

  1. 1The New York Times

    The White Sox finally experienced the bad side of a bullpen game. Now what?

    CHICAGO -- If the White Sox cannot win Thursday in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, an unfortunate reality awaits.

    Read on The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2Aol

    José Ramírez, Jo Adell triples power Guardians' offensive revival in Game 3 ALDS victory over White Sox

    Everything was going right for the Chicago White Sox early on Wednesday in the ALDS Game 3 at Rate Field, where a frenzied crowd eyed the franchise's first playoff-series-clinching victory at home in…

    Andy Backstrom

    Read on Aol (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3ESPN.com

    Guardians break out bats with season on line, stave off elimination in Game 3

    CHICAGO -- Jo Adell and Jose Ramirez powered Cleveland with a pair of two-out triples, and the Guardians avoided an AL Division Series sweep by cooling off the Chicago White Sox with a 9-3 victory in…

    Read on ESPN.com (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4Fox News

    Underdog Promo Code FOXNEWS: Play $5, Get $100 on White Sox-Guardians Game 4

    We had three series end last night in the MLB; now we have just one series remaining before the Championship Series is set.

    Read on Fox News (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5MLB.com

    Where does Chicago's pitching staff stand after 5 bullpen-heavy games?

    CHICAGO -- After their unorthodox and reliever-heavy pitching plans worked through the first four games of their postseason run, things finally went a bit haywire for the White Sox in Game 3 of the…

    Rhett Bollinger

    Read on MLB.com (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6New York Post

    Guardians vs. White Sox prediction: ALDS Game 4 pick, best bets

    Is the White Sox's magical carriage turning back into a pumpkin? The Cinderella Sox couldn't finish the job in Game 3, losing 9-3 to the Guardians.

    Read on New York Post (opens in a new tab)