The Cleveland Guardians walked into Wednesday with their season on the line and came out with something bigger than just a win. They beat the Chicago White Sox 9-3 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, trimming Chicago’s series lead to 2-1 and forcing the White Sox to wait on a chance to clinch in front of their own crowd.
The headline, though, was what Cleveland did on the mound. The Guardians piled up 19 strikeouts, setting a major league postseason record for a nine-inning game. In a night built on urgency, that kind of pitching carried the entire performance and kept Cleveland alive.
Foster Griffin picked up the win after working 2 2/3 strong innings in relief, and Cade Smith and Tim Herrin also delivered key outs as the Guardians kept Chicago from ever settling in offensively. The White Sox still scratched out three runs and created chances, but they went just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Cleveland made the most of those missed opportunities.
The Guardians also got the kind of offensive lift they’d been waiting for from Jose Ramirez. The veteran third baseman had two hits, including a two-run triple that helped widen the gap. Ramirez had been scuffling at the plate while managing a wrist issue, so Wednesday gave Cleveland a much-needed spark from one of its biggest bats.
Jo Adell added another big swing with a bases-clearing triple, and Cleveland finished with nine runs, matching the total Chicago had allowed over its previous four postseason games. That was enough to turn a must-win game into a statement night.
Chicago’s frustration went beyond the scoreboard. The White Sox entered needing just one victory to move on to the American League Championship Series, but they were undone by defensive issues, missed chances and pitching trouble. They also issued 10 walks, giving Cleveland too many extra openings to keep the game moving in the Guardians’ favor.
The series now shifts to Game 4 on Thursday in Chicago. The White Sox can still advance with a win, while Cleveland can force a decisive Game 5 if it keeps the momentum going. For the Guardians, Wednesday was the kind of night that can change the tone of a series fast - historic on the mound, timely at the plate, and just enough to keep the season breathing.
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