Rocchio’s walk-off keeps Guardians alive in tight AL Central race
Brayan Rocchio’s ninth-inning two-run blast lifts Cleveland past Chicago to open a pivotal four-game set.
Brayan Rocchio’s ninth-inning two-run blast lifts Cleveland past Chicago to open a pivotal four-game set.
Cleveland Guardians rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio crushed a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Guardians a 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday at Progressive Field. The walk-off blast, Rocchio’s fourth career home run, capped a seesaw contest that saw Chicago take a 5-3 lead into the eighth before Cleveland tied it on a two-run single by Andrés Giménez. 5 games of the division-leading Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.
Chicago dropped to 67-65, falling five games back of the Twins. The loss marked the White Sox’s sixth one-run defeat in their last eight games, extending a stretch of frustration under manager Pedro Grifol. The Guardians now trail the Twins by just three games in the loss column, a margin that tightens further when factoring in Minnesota’s upcoming schedule of winnable games against Detroit and Kansas City.
254 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs in his rookie season. 93 ERA but allowed the decisive blast on a 2-2 count. 1 innings.
The Guardians’ bullpen ranks among the league’s worst in late-inning leverage situations, a trend that has forced manager Terry Francona to lean on closer Emmanuel Clase more frequently than ideal. White Sox skipper Pedro Grifol called the loss "heartbreaking," noting Chicago’s inability to hold a late lead. " The win moves Cleveland to 12-6 in their last 18 games, a stretch that includes series wins over both Detroit and Chicago, while the White Sox have gone just 8-10 in that span despite a favorable schedule.
m. ET. Cleveland looks to extend its winning streak to three while Chicago aims to avoid a series sweep.
The series shifts into a critical stretch for both teams, with the Guardians hosting the Twins later this week in a potential division-defining matchup. Why this matters: Rocchio’s walk-off keeps the Guardians mathematically alive in the AL Central race, a division where every game carries outsized weight. For Chicago, the loss underscores a pattern of late collapses that could derail postseason hopes.
The Guardians remain within striking distance of the Twins, while the White Sox’s inability to hold late leads risks sinking their playoff chances. The outcome of this series could ripple through the standings, potentially reshaping the division’s playoff picture. FAQ: What was the pitch count when Rocchio hit the walk-off homer?
Rocchio’s two-run blast came on a 2-2 count against Matt Foster. How many games back are the Guardians from the Twins? 5 games in the AL Central.
How many one-run losses have the White Sox suffered recently? Chicago has lost six of their last eight games by a single run. What’s Rocchio’s rookie slash line this season?
254 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs in 2024. Who relieved Triston McKenzie in the seventh? Emmanuel Clase entered in the seventh and closed out the game for the Guardians.
What time does Tuesday’s game start? m. ET at Progressive Field. Read at ESPN
Rocchio’s walk-off keeps the Guardians mathematically alive in the AL Central, a division where every game carries outsized weight. For Chicago, the loss underscores a pattern of late collapses that could derail postseason hopes. The Guardians remain within striking distance of the Twins, while the White Sox’s inability to hold late leads risks sinking their playoff chances. The outcome of this series could ripple through the standings, potentially reshaping the division’s playoff picture by either tightening the race or widening the gap for a Wild Card push.
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