A back-and-forth duel in Cleveland saw the South Siders leave with a one-run win, sealed by a late rally and a sharp defensive play.
The Chicago White Sox left Progressive Field with a 4–3 win over the Cleveland Guardians in a back-and-forth AL Central showdown. The Guardians struck first in the second inning, plating two runs off White Sox starter Dylan Cease. , knotting the game at 2–2.
Cleveland reclaimed the lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Steven Kwan, but the White Sox tied it again in the fifth on a groundout by Andrew Vaughn that scored Tim Anderson. The decisive moment came in the seventh. With the score tied 3–3, Robert delivered a go-ahead RBI single off closer Emmanuel Clase, giving Chicago a one-run cushion.
The Guardians threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with one out, but closer Kendall Graveman induced a game-ending double play to seal the win for the White Sox. This wasn’t just another AL Central tussle—it was a microcosm of the division’s volatility. The Guardians entered the game with the league’s best bullpen ERA, yet they coughed up leads twice in the late innings, a pattern that’s cost them multiple close games this season.
20 ERA in high-leverage spots over the last month, a stark contrast to their early-season dominance. For the White Sox, the win was another data point in their surprising resilience in one-run games. They’ve now won six of their last eight contests decided by a single run, a stretch that’s masked deeper issues with their starting rotation.
Chicago’s offense, however, continues to carry the load, with Robert’s 12 RBIs in his last 10 games underscoring his MVP-caliber production. The Guardians’ lineup, meanwhile, showed flashes of clutch hitting but couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most, extending their struggles with runners in scoring position to 3-for-18 in high-leverage spots this week. Guardians manager Terry Francona called the loss frustrating but acknowledged his team’s resilience.
"We fought hard and had chances," Francona said. "But we couldn’t finish the game. " What’s next: The White Sox (X-XX record) head to Detroit for a three-game set against the Tigers, while the Guardians (X-XX record) stay in Cleveland to face the Royals in a weekend series.
Both teams will look to build on this tight contest as the AL Central race tightens. This game underscored the volatility of division races, where even a single run can swing momentum. The Guardians’ bullpen, historically dominant, coughed up leads twice, while the White Sox’ bullpen—often criticized—shut the door in the ninth.
The contrast highlights how small margins separate playoff contention from also-ran status in the AL Central. Chicago’s offense continues to lean on Robert, who now has 12 RBIs in his last 10 games, while Cleveland’s lineup showed flashes of clutch hitting but couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most. The Guardians’ late-game struggles with runners in scoring position—now 3-for-18 with RISP in high-leverage spots this week—remain a glaring weakness as they chase the division lead. Read at ESPN
Division games in the AL Central are swing contests that can tilt the standings. This matchup proved no different, with both teams trading blows before the White Sox held on for the win. The Guardians’ late push fell short, but the game’s intensity showed why every series matters in a tight division race. The White Sox’ resilience in close games and Cleveland’s inability to finish games could define the division’s final months.
ESPNespn.com3 Jul, 1:49en
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