Guardians Blank White Sox in Historic Home Opener

Jose Ramirez of the Guardians homering against the White Sox

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

April 8, 2024

Guardians 4, White Sox 0

CLEVELAND, Apr. 8 — Cleveland had a weekend to remember, and on Monday, it wrapped up with a total eclipse two hours before the first pitch of a ballgame — a first in major league history. When the sunlight returned to normal, the Cleveland Guardians treated their fans to a 4–0 win over the Chicago White Sox, giving new manager Stephen Vogt a win in his first home opener as a major league manager.

“There are so many great things from tonight,” a beaming Vogt said afterwards. “It’s what the fans want to see. A win, a Jose Ramirez homer, starting pitcher goes into the sixth, (Emmanuel) Clase finishes. Again, that’s what people want to see. So to be able to do that and pull that off today—all of those things are just incredible. And the way we won the game by creating havoc on the bases, it’s who these guys are. It’s who we are.”

The Guardians pitching staff made the White Sox hitters look like they were still in the moon’s shadow, limiting the visitors to four hits. White Sox fielders also looked like they were playing in the dark at times, committing three errors.

Guardians – White Sox Game Summary

Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie traded zeroes with White Sox starter Tanner Banks until the bottom of the third. Second baseman Andres Gimenez lined a leadoff double to the left-field corner off Banks. Catcher Austin Hedges tried to sacrifice him to third, laying down a bunt in front of the plate. But plate umpire David Rackley ruled a foul ball, bringing Hedges back to a hail of boos. Ultimately, Hedges lined a comebacker off Banks’ glove. It popped into the air, landing behind second base. On a run, White Sox second baseman Nicky Lopez made a shoestring catch. He dove to second but narrowly missed tagging the bag before Gimenez could dive back. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio followed with a sharp bouncer to short. Braden Shewmake couldn’t corral it, and the ball squirted into shallow center. Gimenez scored, giving the Guardians a 1–0 lead as Rocchio advanced to second on the throw home.

Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan legged out an infield single to short, putting runners on the corners with one out. But new pitcher Dominic Leone got the White Sox out of the inning, as Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez grounded into an inning-ending 4–6–3 double play.

It became a 2–0 game in the fourth on two hits, a walk, and a hit batsman, in that order. Josh Naylor scored the run, with Andres Gimenez earning the painful RBI on the bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. Ramirez wrapped up the scoring in the fifth with a towering two-run homer to right.

What Went Right for the Guardians

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Taking Advantage of Mistakes

Although all four runs were earned, the three White Sox errors partly led to Guardians runs.

Multi-hit Games

Steven Kwan went 3-for-4, his 31st career three-hit game. Additionally, both Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez had two hits apiece.

What Went Wrong for the Guardians

Very little. Even the weather cooperated, as it was mostly sunny and pleasant. About the only aspect of the game that went wrong was that the Guardians grounded into three inning-ending double plays. But all that meant was that they didn’t win by a larger margin.

Quick Hits

Ramirez’s homer in the fifth was his 100th at Progressive Field. Additionally, it was his 174th as a third baseman, breaking his tie with Al Rosen for the most in franchise history.

Looking Ahead

The Guardians (8–2) and White Sox (1–9) will play the second game of their three-game series Tuesday evening. Left-hander Logan Allen (2–0, 2.31 ERA) will start for the Guardians against White Sox right-hander Michael Soroka (0–1, 4.91 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:10 pm Eastern.