Ramirez, Guardians Even ALDS against White Sox

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

October 8, 2026

Guardians 9, White Sox 5 — ALDS Game Four

The Cleveland Guardians ensured that there will be a Game Five of this ALDS with a 9–5 win over the Chicago White Sox Thursday at Rate Field in Chicago. One of the difference-makers for the Guardians was Jose Ramirez, who hit a two-run blast in the fifth inning. This ALDS will head back to Cleveland for Game Five on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 8 pm Eastern at Progressive Field. As of press time, both teams had yet to announce their starting pitchers for that matchup.

Guardians — White Sox Game Summary

Both teams traded zeroes for the first two and a half innings. The White Sox broke the ice in the bottom of the third with Parker Messick on the hill. Colson Montgomery led off with an infield single back to Messick, who had trouble picking it up. Montgomery advanced to third on a double to left by Chase Meidroth. After Messick struck out Randal Grichuk swinging, he allowed a free pass to Miguel Vargas to load the bases. Up next was Munetaka Murakami, who drew a walk to force Montgomery home.

At this point, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made a change, bringing in Shawn Armstrong to relieve Messick. Meidroth scored on the next play when Sam Antonacci hit a sacrifice fly to right.

The Guardians got on the board in the top of the fifth off reliever Erick Fedde. Patrick Bailey, pinch-hitting for Austin Hedges, led off with a homer that snuck inside the foul pole in right on a 3–1 pitch. It marked the first home run by either team in this series. After Brayan Rocchio lined to center, Steven Kwan singled up the middle. That brought White Sox manager Will Venable out to bring in Jordan Hicks to relieve Fedde. On deck was Ramirez, who hit a two-run shot beyond the Guardians’ bullpen in right-center on an 0–1 pitch.

White Sox Take Lead

The White Sox leapfrogged the Guardians in the bottom of the fifth off Tanner Bibee, who was on in a relief role. Bibee opened the frame with a walk to Meidroth. Up next was Tristan Peters, who was taking his swings for Grichuk. After Peters struck out swinging, Vargas drew his second walk of the game. The White Sox made another move, bringing in Tim Herrin to relieve Bibee. The first batter Herrin faced was Murakami, who hit a sharp single to left. Antonacci forced in Meidroth with a hit-by-pitch. Up next was Brenton Doyle, who plated Vargas with a sacrifice fly to right.

The Guardians regained the lead in the top of the sixth against reliever Anthony Kay. After Nathaniel Lowe led off with a 3–1 groundout, Kay plunked Angel Martinez, who stole second after being tended to briefly by the Guardians’ training staff. Moments later, Martinez scored courtesy of a double to right by Travis Bazzana. This prompted Venable to dip into his bullpen once more, this time bringing in reliever Grant Taylor. The first batter Taylor faced was Bailey, who plated Bazzana with a single to left.

After the dust settled, Rocchio and Kwan reached on back-to-back walks. Bailey crossed the plate on an infield single that Meidroth had trouble with at second. That brought up Chase DeLauter, who drove in Rocchio by lining a single to right. Kwan and Ramirez scored on another single to right, this one by Jo Adell, making it 9–4 Guardians.

The White Sox added one more in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Cade Smith. Vargas led off by driving a 2–2 fastball to the seats in left.

After Smith walked Murakami, Vogt brought in reliever Gavin Williams, who retired three straight to end the game.

What Went Right for the Guardians

For the first time in days, the Guardians were able to lean on some power from their lineup. The homers by Bailey and Ramirez in the fifth got the crowd on their feet and reinvested in this game. DeLauter and Adell also chipped in with their RBI singles in the sixth. Bazzana had his RBI double as well.

What Went Wrong for the Guardians

The White Sox added a little power of their own compliments of Vargas in the ninth. They were also able to take the lead in the fifth with the hit-by-pitch to Antonacci and a sacrifice fly by Vargas.

Pitching Notes

Reliever Erik Sabrowski notched the win for the Guardians after taking over in the bottom of the fifth. He allowed one hit and struck out one over the stretch of one inning.

The loss went to Kay after he was able to record only one out to end the top of the fifth.

Vogt’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Vogt reflected on his offense rallying in the sixth. “This team has answered all year,” he stated. “We talk about it, we punch back. We knew this — it just felt, as soon as the game — as soon as we went to the bullpen, it felt like it was going to be that type of a back-and-forth game. I just can’t applaud our guys enough for the at-bats there. Obviously, we’ve seen Taylor. We know how good he is. All of our guys laid off the tough pitches, got some good pitches, didn’t try and do too much, took what they were given. We were able to keep adding on. Really proud of the offense and the way they stepped up tonight.”

Venable’s Postgame Comments

Venable addressed the fact that both of their wins in this series have come on the road. “I don’t think it’s played a role,” he said. “It’s been an amazing environment, our fans coming out and giving these guys a ton of energy. I thought we did a really good job today after yesterday where maybe some moments sped up on us a little bit. I thought we did a really good job of really embracing the energy, and our fans have been supportive and come out all year. You can look at whatever the home and road record has been, but we feel comfortable here playing at home and are excited to play in front of these amazing fans.”