Sports · NEWS EXPLAINER
White Sox beat Guardians 3–0 as Taylor records four-inning save
Chicago split a three-hit shutout among five pitchers. Two bases-loaded escapes protected the game before Grant Taylor recorded the final 12 outs.
The White Sox won Game 1 of their American League Division Series 3–0 at Cleveland’s Progressive Field on October 3. Munetaka Murakami supplied a two-run homer, and Grant Taylor finished the game with four scoreless innings.
Five Chicago pitchers shared the three-hit shutout. Two bases-loaded escapes kept Cleveland scoreless through the early innings, then Taylor handled the final 12 outs. The White Sox lead the best-of-five series 1–0.
Two escapes before Cleveland could score
After recording the first eight outs, starter Hagen Smith walked three consecutive batters in the third. Hudson entered with two outs and the bases loaded, then retired Chase DeLauter on a line drive to left to preserve a scoreless game.
Chicago was ahead 2–0 when Anthony Kay faced Brayan Rocchio with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth. Kay got a lineout to right, ending Cleveland’s second such threat. Those two outs kept the Guardians from cashing in their early traffic.
How five pitchers divided 27 outs
Taylor took over for the bottom of the sixth and stayed through the ninth. He allowed two hits, struck out six and walked none across four scoreless innings, throwing 42 pitches. He struck out the last four batters he faced.
His 12 outs followed eight from Smith, one from Hudson, two from Jordan Hicks and four from Kay. Together, the five pitchers recorded all 27 outs while allowing three hits and striking out 12. Official scoring credited Hudson with the win and Taylor with the save.
Murakami and Montgomery supply the runs
Miguel Vargas singled ahead of Murakami in the fourth. Murakami then hit a two-run homer on the first pitch of that at-bat, giving Chicago the lead immediately after Hudson’s escape in the previous half-inning.
The White Sox added their final run in the seventh when Montgomery’s RBI double brought home Kyle Teel. Chicago finished with six hits to Cleveland’s three, scoring in two innings while its pitching staff kept the Guardians off the board.
Game 2: time, pitching plans and viewing
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, October 5, at 5 p.m. EDT, or 4 p.m. CDT, at Progressive Field. MLB lists TBS, truTV and HBO Max for viewers in the United States. Schedules remain subject to change.
Cleveland lists Gavin Williams as its probable starter. Chicago has not announced its starter; Sean Burke is expected to handle a bulk role, according to AP and MLB. Taylor’s availability remains unconfirmed. Chicago needs two more wins to advance from this best-of-five round; Cleveland needs three.
