The Cleveland Cavaliers had to dig deep after falling behind 0-2 in the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox. José Ramírez received this letter from the Guardians at the most important moment.
With a two-run homer off his legs, he led the longtime Rangers to a 2-0 victory to capture the winner of Game 5 on Saturday in Cleveland. The Tampa Bay Rays will meet in the ALCS for the second time in three years, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday at 8 pm ET.
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The Rangers are the first team to sweep a two-game division lead since the New York Yankees in 2017, who did it at the expense of the Rangers. This Saturday marks the end of an enjoyable season for the White Sox — you might even say a happy one — but few expected it to end.
On Saturday, both teams entered the fourth inning without a hit, but Steven Kwan broke that with a leadoff single off White Sox starter Sean Burke. Five pitches later, Ramírez tied the game with a two-run home run in a raucous progressive field.
Ramírez not only struck the heart, but. He hit a homer on a pitch that, objectively, no hitting coach would ever want to have a more desirable swing, a 78-mph curveball instead of running into the woodwork in front of the dirt.
Per MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, Ramírez made contact with the ball 0.74 feet — or about nine inches — off the ground. That’s the lowest hit rate for homers in the baseball game since MLB began tracking this package in 2008.
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It was a ridiculous pitch to swing at, but Ramírez built a career on balls out of the hard contact zone. This time, he did it to save the Guardians’ season – two days after hitting a Game 4 homer.
Ramírez already has a plaque in Cooperstown and a statue in Cleveland. He made it even stronger on Saturday.
It wasn’t a one-man game, though. Another hero of the game was Cleveland’s starting pitcher, Gavin Williams, who was historically dominant through the first five innings of the game.
His start is lit to show how quickly things can turn in time, though. When Williams got the second out of the sixth inning, he didn’t allow a hit and was up to 12 hitters. It was a peaceful start that would leave a mark in baseball history.
Then White Sox catcher Kyle Teel recorded his team’s first hit, which put the tying run on base when Colson Montgomery was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Williams then walked Miguel Vargas to run the first base. This was for the right, who was drawn for the left hand Eric Sabrowski to face the Chicago suggested Munetaka Murakami.
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In the other big at-bat of the night, Sabrowski struck out Murakami to keep the bases loaded and Williams shining. Williams’ 12 strikeouts tied Cleveland’s record, which was held by Charles Nagy from his game in the 1996 ALDS.
Cleveland’s bullpen had no more trouble, with Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith combining to get the final nine outs of the game.
Chicago’s inhumane season is coming to an end. In every winner-take-all game, the Sox were shut out while striking out 21 times in 27 outings, with just three hits (all walks). They were 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position. Those 21 strikeouts broke the nine-inning season record previously held … their 19 strikeouts in Game 3.
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The White Sox had all the momentum after sweeping the Houston Astros into the wild card and taking a 2-0 lead over Cleveland, and on the verge of their first ALCS appearance since their title run in 2005. Now it’s over.
It was a magical time when the Sox started, with a streak of three consecutive 100-loss seasons coming after nearly a decade ended, but this one still stings.
Jack Baer
Cade Smith hits the side to make the 5th save and the Rangers eat. They advance to the ALCS after going 0-2 in this series.
The White Sox season – after four straight victories to start the season – is over.
from the inclined Benintendi, and from No. 2 s.
The White Sox hit 20 times in this game.
Cade Smith takes a bow from Murakami, and about No. 1 s.
DeLauter bases the cases, and the guards do not get any insurance.
We go to the ninth kick, still 2-0.
DeLauter fields at home.
With the bases loaded with two outs and Jo Adell at the plate, they are looking for some insurance out of Cleveland.
Rocchio left the fields, and then Kwan and Ramirez both walk (Ramirez was willing).
The bases were loaded on the keeper with one out
Petey Halpin redeems himself by leading off the bottom of the eighth. He hits the double wall, and then stops for a second.
The White Sox are now bringing in Grant Taylor.
Vargas pops out, and that’s the end of the White Sox’s half of the eighth inning.
He points you to the last one. It’s still 2-0 Rangers.
Smith takes a swing at Kyle Teel. That’s the second one from this inning and Chicago’s 18th hitting game.
Gaddis takes one hitter and gives Antonacco one, and that’s what he’ll do to him.
Cade Smith came in to attempt a 5-out save. He’s been in every game this streak.
Jack Baer
Colson Montgomery grounded out to give the Rangers a runner with one out, but Patrick Bailey reached on a double play to end the seventh inning.
Jack Baer
Hunter Gaddis singles around Tristan Peters to keep the White Sox scoreless for seven. He indicates to go to six.
Chicago struck out 16 times out of 21 tonight.
Jack Baer
Sean Newcomb hits three in a sixty-six inning. We go to the seventh, with Hunter Gaddis in Cleveland.
Jack Baer
Sean Burke leaves the game behind Williams. Sean Newcomb enters the game for Chicago with the top line of guards, until the third hour in the order placed in the city.
Burke’s line: 5 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts on 71 pitches. You don’t often see guys with that line drawn unless the team’s season is in doubt.
Jack Baer
Jack Baer
Sabrowski beats Murakami to leave loaded. It’s still 2-0 to the Guardians after six as they have a huge moment to spare.
Gavin Williams’ final line: 5 2/3 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, 12 strikeouts, 1 HBP in 94 pitches. That gem is qualified, or rather than finished.
Jack Baer
Patrick Bailey tries to make his way to challenge Murakami’s striker, but loses the challenge by nearly two inches to the ABS guards.
Jack Baer
