Ramírez homers and Cleveland strikes out 21 to complete ALDS comeback

José Ramírez supplied the only runs, and Gavin Williams started a pitching performance that kept Cleveland's season moving. The Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 2-0 at Progressive Field on Saturday night to win Game 5 of the American League Division Series, completing a comeback after losing the first two games at home.

Ramírez hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Williams struck out 12 over 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and Cleveland's four pitchers combined for 21 strikeouts. The Guardians advanced to face Tampa Bay in the AL Championship Series, which begins Monday. The result ended Chicago's season after the White Sox had moved one win from advancing.

MLB published its official Game 5 highlights after Cleveland completed the shutout.

The first three innings passed without a hit by either team. Steven Kwan opened the bottom of the fourth with a single, giving Ramírez a runner to bring home. Ramírez then drove Sean Burke's knuckle-curve over the right-field wall. That swing created a lead Cleveland never added to and never surrendered.

It also completed Ramírez's turnaround within the series. MLB's official report noted that he went hitless in six at-bats during the two opening losses, then went five for 12 with two home runs and seven RBIs in the three Cleveland wins. His production arrived as the Guardians faced elimination each night.

Williams had already helped keep the series alive by recording the final three outs in Thursday's Game 4. Returning to a starting role Saturday, he allowed one hit and two walks while striking out 12. Chicago did not collect a hit until Kyle Teel singled with two outs in the sixth inning.

That inning produced the White Sox's best opportunity to change the game. A hit batter, Teel's single and a walk loaded the bases. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt turned to left-hander Erik Sabrowski, who struck out Munetaka Murakami to leave all three runners stranded. Chicago had finally created traffic, but its most dangerous chance ended without a run.

Hunter Gaddis followed with four outs and four strikeouts. Cade Smith recorded the final five outs, striking out four, to finish the shutout. Chicago ended with three hits; Cleveland's pitchers allowed no extra-base hit. The bullpen covered the last 3 1/3 innings without issuing a walk.

The win leaves Cleveland preparing for another series with little rest for its most-used relievers. CBS Sports' Mike Axisa noted the workload accumulated by Smith and Gaddis across the Division Series. The Guardians nevertheless reached the next round by winning three consecutive elimination games, following their two nine-run performances in Chicago with a much tighter finish at home.

Sources

MLB: Guardians complete ALDS comeback · Williams and Ramírez lead Cleveland · MLB official Game5 boxscore and play log · CBS Sports: Cleveland advances to ALCS