· 2026-07-11

Chicago White Sox captured a 7-6 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on July 5, turning a rain‑delayed night at Progressive Field into a home‑run‑filled showdown that gave them the series lead and a step forward in the AL Central race.
The Sox jumped ahead early, loading the bases in the sixth and pulling ahead 7‑6 after a decisive three‑run blast. Cleveland fought back, narrowing the gap with a solo shot by Tristan Peters in the second, but Chicago’s bullpen held firm. A 90‑minute weather pause forced both clubs to reset, yet the Sox’s offense never lost steam.
All‑Star right‑hander Cade Smith took the mound for Chicago in the ninth, preserving the lead after a tense bottom‑of‑eighth. Gabriel Arias delivered a career‑long 446‑foot home run that tied the game at 6‑6 in the fifth, while Colson Montgomery’s three‑run blast in the third gave the Guardians a brief lead before the Sox reclaimed it. The Sox’s offense combined for five homers, two traveling over 425 feet.
The triumph nudged Chicago into second place in the American League, improving their record to 48‑45 and extending their winning streak to one game. The victory also put them ahead of Cleveland in the Central, tightening the race as the summer schedule tightens.
Just five days later, Chicago rolled past the Oakland Athletics with a dominant 14‑1 win on July 10, showcasing the same power surge that defined the Guardians series. Those back‑to‑back performances underline a team that can generate runs in bunches and keep pressure on division rivals.
The Guardians will look to rebound at home against a different opponent, hoping to tighten their pitching after a shaky outing from Tanner Bibee. Meanwhile, the White Sox aim to ride this offensive wave into their next series, with Smith slated to start and the bullpen expected to keep games close. The AL Central remains wide open, and every game now feels like a must‑win.