Rocchio delivers 2-run double in 9th, Guardians rally to stun White Sox
7-6 and tighten AL Central
[September 16, 2026]
By TOM WITHERS
CLEVELAND (AP) — Brayan Rocchio came through again,
hitting a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning to give the
Cleveland Guardians a comeback 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox that
tightened the AL Central race on Tuesday night.
With runners at second and third, Rocchio, who has seven career walk-off
plate appearances, hit a fly toward the left-field corner off Grant
Taylor (7-3) that just eluded a diving try by outfielder Sam Antonacci. |
Chicago White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci (17) can't get to the ball
on a game winning double hit by Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio in
the ninth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 15,
2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) |
|
When the ball hit the turf, Rocchio flung his helmet in the air
and Cleveland's dugout emptied onto the field to celebrate.
Rocchio has developed a knack for late-season heroics with four
of his walk-off hits coming in September.
The Guardians' rally moved them within a half game of the
first-place White Sox. The teams will play the series finale on
Wednesday. The White Sox, who lost at least 100 games in each of
the past three seasons, have held at least a share of first
since July 4.
Rookie Travis Bazzana hit a pair of homers for Cleveland. Closer
Cade Smith (6-1) got five outs — on just 16 pitches — and should
be available Wednesday.
Jo Adell and Bazzana hit back-to-back homers in the first inning
for the Guardians, who couldn't capitalize on their early 3-0
lead and fell behind before coming up with a victory that kept
their division title hopes alive.
Down 4-2, the White Sox scored four in the sixth with Miguel
Vargas delivering his two-out single.
Chicago loaded the bases off Cleveland's Craig Yoho on a pair of
walks and a single before Chase Meidroth hit an RBI single,
Randal Grichuk had a sacrifice fly and Vargas ripped a single
into left off reliever Hunter Gaddis.
Adell was acquired at the trade deadline to give Cleveland more
power, and he provided plenty in the first with his 22nd homer —
a 442-foot shot.
Up next
Rookie LHP Parker Messick (11-9, 2.51 ERA) starts the series
finale for the Guardians. He's 1-1 against the White Sox, who
have yet to name a starter.
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