The White Sox trailed by a run heading into the bottom of the ninth. They needed two. Sam Antonacci delivered both on a single to center, sending B. Montgomery and Peters home to complete a 6-5 walkoff win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday at Rate Field.
The foundation was built by Anthony Kay, who held Cleveland to 3 hits and struck out 8 over 6 scoreless innings on 101 pitches. Kay did not factor in the decision, but his six-inning shutout effort gave the Chicago bullpen a lead to protect — one that nearly slipped away. Chris Murphy earned the win, his second of the season, retiring the side in 0.2 innings to preserve the victory.
Chicago built a 3-0 lead through six. Meidroth scored on B. Montgomery's double in the second. Antonacci's single to left brought Antonacci home in the third — with Benintendi driving in the run. Randal Grichuk added a solo home run to left in the sixth, his first of the season, extending the margin to three. Cleveland answered in the seventh: Kwan and Schneemann scored on Watson's single to right, then Bazzana scored on Hoskins's single to center, tying the game at 3-3. Antonacci's single to right in the bottom of the seventh scored B. Montgomery to put Chicago back in front, 4-3. The Guardians tied it again in the ninth when Bailey singled to right to score Bazzana, then Manzardo's sacrifice fly to center scored Bailey — an overturned call on the field — to give Cleveland a 5-4 lead. Antonacci's walkoff single ended it.
Gavin Williams pitched 5 innings for Cleveland, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with 8 strikeouts, carrying a 3.82 ERA. Cade Smith took the loss — his first of the season — allowing 2 runs in 1.2 innings, with the walkoff single coming against him.
Chicago improved to 39-37, snapping a three-game losing streak. Cleveland fell to 41-37, dropping its second straight.