CLEVELAND — The Guardians have had an odd amount of trouble with the bottom-dwelling Chicago White Sox but did just enough to come away with a walk-off win Tuesday . But Wednesday night, the White Sox punched back, and the Guardians lost 8-2 to Chicago at Progressive Field.
The Guardians entered Wednesday with a six-game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the division. The Kansas City Royals, who have fallen back to Earth a bit, entered Wednesday's slate of games eight games behind.
The Guardians (.639) still had the best winning percentage in the AL at the day's beginning, just ahead of the Baltimore Orioles (.635) and New York Yankees (.621).
Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams made his 2024 MLB debut Wednesday after missing the first few months of the season with elbow issues. Though, the White Sox roughed him up in four innings of work.
First pitch occurred at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday at Progressive Field. Check back here for live score updates, analysis and highlights throughout the game.
The White Sox are among the worst teams in baseball this season, but the Guardians continue to have trouble putting them away. Wednesday night, the White Sox cruised to an 8-2 win over the Guardians.
White Sox catcher Martin Maldonado extended Chicago's lead with a two-run home run to left field in the eighth inning.
The Guardians will enter the ninth inning trailing 8-2.
Brayan Rocchio drilled a solo home run in the seventh that cut the White Sox lead to 6-2. It was his third homer of the season.
Sam Hentges was one strike away from escaping a jam but couldn't finish the inning.
With two on and two out, Lenyn Sosa grounded a ball back up the middle that just got by a diving Brayan Rocchio to score a run. The White Sox now lead 6-1.
During the game, Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan were announced as starters for the American League in the 2024 All-Star Game .
The Guardians announced it before the fifth inning. Kwan and Ramirez both received standing ovations, though both were retired in the inning.
It was a rough debut to 2024 for Williams, whose day is done after four innings and 74 pitches.
The White Sox tagged Williams for five earned runs on seven hits and two walks. Williams also struck out two.
Williams' return to the Guardians starting rotation took a rough turn in the fourth inning, when he gave up four runs and Cleveland fell behind 5-1.
Williams surrendered back-to-back, one-out doubles to Lenyn Sosa and Nicky Lopez. Lopez's double drove in Sosa and gave the White Sox a 2-1 lead.
Later in the inning, Martin Maldonado hit a two-out RBI single to score Lopez and lift the White Sox to a 3-1 advantage.
The White Sox extended their lead to 5-1 when Andrew Benintendi hit a two-out, two-run double off the wall in left field.
After Williams pitched a scoreless third inning, the Cleveland offense provided him with some support.
Daniel Schneemann led off with a double. Then Jose Ramirez walked. Josh Naylor reached safely on a groundout after Ramirez was thrown out at second base. David Fry's line drive to center field was caught by a diving Luis Robert Jr., but it served as a sacrifice fly by driving in Schneemann. Andres Gimenez popped out in foul territory to end the third inning with the score tied 1-1.
Guardians leadoff hitter Steven Kwan lined out to shortstop to end the second inning. Bo Naylor, who walked, and Brayan Rocchio, who singled, were left on base. The White Sox remained ahead 1-0.
After allowing a run in the first inning, Williams bounced back in the second. He worked a one-two-three second inning by inducing the White Sox into two groundouts and a lineout.
The Guardians trailed 1-0 at the end of the first inning. With Ramirez on second base after he reached safely on a fielder's choice and Josh Naylor on first after walking, Fry struck out swinging for the third out against White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde.
Williams got two outs to start the game and then found a bit of trouble. He allowed Robert to single and walked Gavin Sheets. Williams then surrendered an RBI single to Andrew Vaughn, who drove in Robert for a 1-0 White Sox lead.
Here is some pregame information :
Guardians option Triston McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus
As starting pitcher Triston McKenzie deals with command issues, the Guardians sent him down to Triple-A as Gavin Williams returned from the injured list.
Jose Ramirez on verge of passing Jim Thome on Cleveland baseball's career extra-base hit list
One of the few bright spots for the Guardians as they suffered three losses in a four-game series against the AL Central foe Kansas City Royals is five-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez reached another milestone.
In Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Royals, Ramirez doubled in the eighth inning to tie Jim Thome for third on the franchise's career extra-base hit list with 620.
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt provides a Matthew Boyd injury update
On Saturday, the Guardians signed left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd to a one-year contract and placed him on the 15-day injured list. Boyd underwent Tommy John surgery a year ago and has yet to pitch in a game since then.
Vogt said Boyd, 33, will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. Vogt explained Boyd will eventually have rehab assignments and the Guardians haven't yet settled on a date when they expect him to contribute.
"You're talking about a guy with tons of experience at the major league level starting and relieving, but he just brings a veteran presence to the pitching staff and a great human being with a great track record everywhere he is been," Vogt said before Tuesday's game. "I know there's a few staff members that have had him in the past, and just the pick-me-up that he could bring here when he does get healthy is huge."
Boyd has a 44-67 record with a 4.94 ERA and 845 strikeouts in 174 career games, including 160 starts, across nine MLB seasons with Toronto (2015), Detroit (2015-21, 2023) and Seattle (2022).
Cleveland Guardians news: MLB All-Star Game starters include Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan
How can I watch, listen or stream the Cleveland Guardians game today?
The game was televised locally by Bally Sports Great Lakes. It was broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WMMS (100.7-FM).
Next game on Guardians schedule
The Guardians are slated to continue their series against the White Sox at 1:10 p.m. Thursday. The Guardians are then set to host the San Francisco Giants at 7:10 p.m. Friday, 4:10 p.m. Saturday and 1:40 p.m. Sunday.
The Guardians announced Wednesday's game versus the White Sox is sold out. It was the seventh sellout at Progressive Field this season.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox: Gavin Williams hit hard in return to rotation
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