The Chicago White Sox defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 at Progressive Field on Saturday to take Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Grant Taylor recorded a rare four-inning save, striking out six batters and allowing two hits in the longest outing of his career. It is the first four-inning save in a postseason game since Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. achieved the feat in 2017 against the New York Yankees.
White Sox manager Will Venable deployed a bullpen game, with Hagen Smith opening the contest. Smith retired the first eight batters he faced before walking three consecutive hitters to load the bases. Venable turned to lefty Bryan Hudson to face left-handed hitter Chase DeLauter, who flew out to keep the game scoreless through three innings.
The White Sox broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning. Third baseman Miguel Vargas led off with a single to left field, followed by first baseman Munetaka Murakami hitting the first postseason home run of his career. Murakami hit a 440-foot home run off Parker Messick, giving Chicago a 2-0 lead.
The Guardians threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning when Anthony Kay walked Nathaniel Lowe and Travis Bazzana, and then walked catcher Austin Hedges to load the bases. Kay preserved the lead by getting shortstop Bryan Rocchio to fly out to right field.
In the top of the fifth inning, Colson Montgomery singled to pressure Messick, who had struck out six batters and allowed two runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt turned to Daniel Espino, who induced a double play from second baseman Chase Meidroth to end the threat. Kay recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fifth.
The White Sox added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs and Kyle Teel on first base, shortstop Colson Montgomery hit a 64-mph ground ball down the third-base line. Teel scored on the play after Hedges failed to corral the throw from left fielder Ángel Martínez.
Taylor pitched scoreless innings in the bottom halves of the seventh and eighth innings. In the top of the eighth, Guardians reliever Tim Herrin held the White Sox scoreless. Cade Smith entered in the ninth inning to preserve the 3-0 victory. The Guardians recorded three hits and drew five walks in the loss.
The White Sox will play Game 2 of the series on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.