The White Sox have squeezed out enough tight wins this season to know they weren’t out of this one.
Well, they came back. They just didn’t win this time.
Grant Taylor gave up a tiebreaking RBI single to Kahlil Watson in the 10th inning after the Sox’ Braden Montgomery and Randal Grichuk tied it with back-to-back homers in the ninth, and the White Sox lost 4-3 to the Guardians on a rainy Wednesday at Rate Field.
The Sox came up short trying to complete its first sweep of three games or more against the Cleveland team since 2015. The Sox also moved back into a tie with the Guardians for the AL Central lead. But they weren’t exactly complaining after taking two of three in this series.
“Great series,” manager Will Venable said. “To be able to win a series, especially against these guys, means a lot. At the same time, we were challenged a lot throughout this series, some things that we can grow from and learn from.”
The Sox pushed the Guardians again, just when they seemed to be down and out in this one.
The Guardians brought in star closer Cade Smith to start the ninth with a 3-1 lead. The major-league leader with 24 saves, he retired the first two batters.
Montgomery then drove a 1-1 fastball to center for his second homer of the season. Grichuk turned on the next pitch, knocking it to left-center for his ninth, whipping fans who waited out a 2-hour, 40-minute delay at the start into a frenzy.
It was the sixth time this season the Sox hit back-to-back homers.
“We’re not rolling over for anybody,” Montgomery said.
Jacob Gonzalez singled and Sam Antonacci walked before Shawn Armstrong came in and retired Miguel Vargas on a fly, sending the game to extra innings.
The visitors took a 4-3 lead in the 10th on Watson’s RBI single against Taylor. The White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half, only to come up short.
Chase Meidroth’s grounder forced a runner at the plate. And Montgomery grounded to first baseman Kyle Manzardo, who dove to the bag to beat the runner, ending a game that lasted 3:18 after that marathon delay.
The Guardians’ Tanner Bibee pitched three-hit ball over six scoreless innings. The White Sox got some good pitching, too.
Chris Murphy retired the first four batters. Erick Fedde gave up two runs and five hits in four innings.
Fedde was sailing along until the sixth when the Guardians — aided by two errors — grabbed a 2-0 lead.
Brayan Rocchio led off with a single, and shortstop Colson Montgomery dropped the ball after fielding David Fry’s grounder. Fedde then walked Kyle Manzardo to load the bases before striking out Rhys Hoskins, but Watson chased the right-hander with a two-run single to left.
Antonacci’s throw home short-hopped catcher Kyle Teel, allowing the runners to take second and third. Brandon Eisert then struck out Daniel Schneemann and Patrick Bailey.
The White Sox cut it to 2-1 in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Braden Montgomery.
“We keep doing it time and time again,” Fedde said. “It just adds to the belief there’s no reason not to believe.”