CLEVELAND — Brian Rocchio led off again with a double with two outs in the ninth inning, giving the Cleveland Guardians a 7-6 comeback victory over the Chicago White Sox that strengthened the AL Central race Tuesday night.
With runners on second and third, Rocchio, who has seven career plate appearances, was hit into the left field corner by Grant Taylor (7-3), who had just eluded outfielder Sam Antonacci’s diving attempt.
When the ball hit the turf, Rocchio threw his helmet in the air and the Cleveland dugout flew onto the field to celebrate. Rocchio developed a talent for late-season heroics, with four hits coming into September.
The Guardians rally moved them within a half game of the first place White Sox. The teams will play the series final on Wednesday. The White Sox, who have lost at least 100 games in each of the last three seasons, have held at least a share of first place since July 4th.
Rookie Travis Bazzana hit a pair of homers for Cleveland.
Jo Adell and Bazzana hit back-to-back homers in the first inning for the Guardians, who were unable to capitalize on their early 3-0 lead and fell behind before picking up a win that kept their division title hopes alive.
With the score 4–2, the White Sox scored four times in the sixth, with Miguel Vargas hitting his two-out single.
Chicago loaded the bases with Cleveland’s Craig Yoho on a pair of walks and a single before Chase Meidroth hit an RBI single, Randal Grichuk hit a sacrifice fly and Vargas ripped a single to lefty reliever Hunter Gaddis.
Adell was acquired in a trade at the trade deadline to give Cleveland more power, and he provided much of the opener with his 22nd homer, a shot from 442 feet.
Rookie LHP Parker Messick (11-9, 2.51 ERA) starts the series finale for the Guardians. He’s 1-1 against the White Sox, who have yet to name a starter.
