José Ramírez hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series, breaking a scoreless tie and putting the Cleveland Guardians ahead of the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.
Clutch Fourth-Inning Homer Breaks Scoreless Tie
The game remained scoreless into the fourth inning before Ramírez connected against Chicago pitcher Sean Burke. Stephen Kwan reached base ahead of the Dominican third baseman on a single, setting up the scoring play.
Ramírez punished a knuckle-curve from Burke to drive the ball out of the park, putting the Guardians on the board first in the decisive fifth game of the series. The winner advances to play the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series.
Familiar Faces Match Up on the Mound
Both starting pitchers entered the elimination game with prior experience against each other’s lineups earlier in the series. Burke previously appeared out of the bullpen in Game 2, tossing 5.1 innings to earn the victory for Chicago.
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Gavin Williams took the mound for Cleveland after delivering five innings of work earlier in the series, where he allowed two runs and struck out 11 batters while factoring into a no-decision. Williams also pitched the final frame on Thursday to force the fifth and deciding game.
Confirmed Starting Lineups and Series Stakes
The Central Division rivals entered the matchup facing elimination at Progressive Field with an 8:00 PM local start time. The victor secures the final spot in the American League Championship Series against Tampa Bay.
The matchup featured confirmed starting line-ups for both the White Sox and the Guardians, with local broadcast schedules set across regional networks ahead of the first pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Series Finale
Who won the previous pitching matchup between Sean Burke and Gavin Williams? Burke earned the victory in Game 2 after throwing 5.1 innings in relief, while Williams received a no-decision despite striking out 11 batters over five frames.
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What is at stake in this game? The winner advances to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series.
Where is the game being played? The decisive fifth game takes place at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
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