All was well for the Chicago White Sox early Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALDS at Rate Field, where a frenzied crowd witnessed the franchise’s first home playoff victory in 120 years.
With a loud power outage in the South Side, the White Sox faithful were abuzz as their upstart team took a 1-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning.
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But a cascade of missteps early in the third changed the tenor of the venue and permanently altered the game. While White Sox left-handed reliever Bryan Hudson struggled with his command, catcher Kyle Teel lost both of the team’s ABS challenges. It was an ominous omen in a frame that saw the Guardians score four points, one more than they had combined for in their defeats in the first two games of the series.
In a win-or-go-home Game 3, the AL Central champion Guardians found some much-needed offense against their division foes, including a Jo Adell punt triple in that third inning, en route to a series-extending 9-3 victory.
Chicago, meanwhile, struck out 19, with fan favorite Munetaka Murakami going 0 for 4 and accounting for three of those Ks.
This story is currently being updated.
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Andy Backström
Cleveland avoided elimination, at least for a day. The Guardians woke up offensively, scoring nine runs after combining for three in Games 1 and 2. On the mound, their fleet of pitchers racked up 19 strikeouts in a bullpen game.
The White Sox still lead the series 2-1, but the Guardians made a statement Wednesday. The fourth game will take place Thursday in Chicago.
Andy Backström
The Guardians have now scored nine points. None of them hit home runs.
Andy Backström
After White Sox right-hander Davis Martin issued back-to-back walks to start the top of the ninth inning, Angel Genao hit a double to extend the Guardians’ lead to 8-3.
Andy Backström
Despite doubling its lead in the top of the eighth, Cleveland moved closer Cade Smith for the bottom half of the frame.
He took care of business, striking out two White Sox batters and retiring the team.
Andy Backström
Cleveland threatened to extend its lead in the top of the eighth inning when Travis Bazzana drew a walk and Patrick Bailey singled to left.
A sacrifice bunt moved these two on base.
Finally, with two outs, José Ramírez hit a two-run triple. Ramírez clicked in Game 3.
The Guardians now lead 7-3.
Andy Backström
White Sox fan favorite Munetaka Murakami was unable to deliver on his promises in front of his home crowd today.
He is 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Guardians left-hander Tim Herrin entered the bottom of the seventh and hit the sideline.
Chicago hitters have now struck out a total of 14 times in Game 3 of the ALDS.
Andy Backström
The Guardians retired Joey Cantillo after he walked Braden Montgomery with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
Cleveland called on right-hander Hunter Gaddis, who gave up a single to Randal Grichuk, then struck out Colson Montgomery and Sam Antonacci.
Braden Montgomery scored following this second RAP. That makes it a 5-3 game.
But the Guardians got out of the inning when Miguel Vargas lined out to third.
Andy Backström
With left-hander Joey Cantillo on the bump in the bottom of the fifth inning, Sam Antonacci bounced a single to center.
Miguel Vargas had a free pass on four shots. This brought Munetaka Murakami down with two men and no outs.
Although Murakami finished second, he moved ahead of Antonacci and Vargas.
Despite this, the White Sox were left with 0 runs in the frame. Kyle Teel lined out to Cleveland second baseman Travis Bazzana, who doubled off Vargas.
It’s still 5-2 Goalies.
Andy Backström
José Ramírez was on a mission on the base path. After reaching second on a double in the top of the fifth inning, he stole third.
When Chase DeLauter found himself second, Ramírez headed home. He slipped in time to score a point, restoring Cleveland to a three-point advantage.
The Guardians are leading 5-2.
Andy Backström
José Ramírez, who is dealing with left wrist pain, finally gets a hit in the ALDS. He hit a double down the left field line in the top of the fifth inning.
Shortly after, he swiped third base.
Andy Backström
Although Foster Griffin allowed back-to-back doubles to start the bottom of the fourth, the second of which scored a White Sox run, he finished his 2 2/3 work by notching his seventh strikeout of the afternoon.
Cleveland calls on right-hander Shawn Armstrong to close out the inning.
It’s 4-2 Goalkeepers.
Andy Backström
Chase Meidroth, building on an already impressive playoff run, doubled to left to start the bottom of the fourth inning.
Then, in a nine-pitch contest featuring two challenges (one negating an HBP call and another failing to invoke catcher’s interference), Tristan Peters threw a base hit to left center that was good for an RBI double.
Andy Backström
Inserting its fourth pitcher of the afternoon, Chicago turned to left-hander Noah Schultz. He ended up causing an inning-ending double play in the top of the fourth.
The White Sox bullpen play continues.
Andy Backström
Foster Griffin hums. He is down to six strikeouts after striking out three White Sox batters in the bottom of the third inning.
He threw Sam Antonacci to start the frame but quickly rebounded.
Andy Backström
Hagen Smith loaded the bases with a walk to Jose Ramirez. Then Munetaka Murakami threw a force out to save a run, accounting for the White Sox’s second out of the inning, but Chicago did not escape the frame unscathed.
Jo Adell went the opposite way for a bases-clearing triple down the right field line.
Just like that, it’s 4-1 Guardians, and Rate Field is noticeably silent.
Andy Backström
White Sox LHP Bryan Hudson never found a rhythm. After taking over on the mound in the top of the third, he walked Travis Bazzana then allowed singles to Brayan Rocchio and Steven Kwan, the latter of whom drove in Bazzana to tie the game 1-1.
With Kwan and Rocchio first and second respectively, Chicago gives the ball to left-hander Hagen Smith.
Andy Backström
Andy Backström
Kyle Teel is known for his abs success, but he went 0 for 2 in third-inning challenges, while left-hander Bryan Hudson struggled to find his command.
The White Sox cannot contest another call for the remainder of time.
Andy Backström
Chicago opener, left-hander Sean Newcomb, allowed just one hit in his two innings.
Left-hander Bryan Hudson now replaces the White Sox, who lead 1-0.
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