Murakami’s homer and Taylor’s four-inning save lift White Sox over Guardians 3–0

Munetaka Murakami supplied the opening runs, and Grant Taylor supplied the final four innings as the White Sox beat the Guardians 3–0 Saturday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field. Chicago took a 1–0 lead in the best-of-five series with a three-hit shutout assembled by five pitchers.

The game’s decisive swing came in the fourth inning. Miguel Vargas singled to start the frame, and Murakami drove Parker Messick’s first pitch over the right-field wall for a two-run home run. It was Murakami’s first postseason homer and gave Chicago the lead after its pitching staff had already escaped a bases-loaded threat.

That escape helped determine the shape of the afternoon. Starter Hagen Smith retired the first eight batters he faced but then walked three straight hitters with two outs in the third. Bryan Hudson relieved him and got Chase DeLauter to fly out to left, keeping the game scoreless before Murakami’s blast.

Cleveland loaded the bases again in the fourth. Jordan Hicks struck out two hitters before walking Nathaniel Lowe, and Anthony Kay entered with Travis Bazzana coming up. Bazzana doubled and Austin Hedges walked, but Brayan Rocchio lined out to right field to strand three more runners. The Guardians finished with seven men left on base.

Taylor took over in the sixth and gave manager Will Venable little reason to change pitchers again. He worked four scoreless innings, allowed two hits, struck out six and issued no walks. His 42 pitches included 34 strikes, an efficient finish that protected the lead while requiring fewer pitches than his previous playoff relief appearance.

Chicago added its third run in the seventh. Kyle Teel walked, then scored on Colson Montgomery’s double down the left-field line. The throw reached the plate ahead of Teel, but Hedges could not secure the ball before applying the tag, allowing the insurance run to score.

There had been a missed opportunity one inning earlier. Tommy Pham drove a ball to deep center with two runners aboard, but Angel Martínez caught it near the wall and the Guardians doubled Vargas off first. Chicago responded in the next inning instead of letting that play become the final word on its offense.

Smith finished with 2 2/3 hitless innings and four strikeouts, though his three walks forced the early change. Hudson received the win, and Taylor earned the save. Messick allowed two runs across 4 1/3 innings as Cleveland used six pitchers in the loss.

Game 2 is Monday at 5 p.m. Eastern in Cleveland. MLB’s Rhett Bollinger reported that Venable expects Sean Burke to work in a bulk role, while Smith said he believes he could be available again after throwing 51 pitches Saturday. Chicago had not announced its Game 2 starter in that report.