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Brayan Rocchio Hits 2-Run Homer In 9th To Lift Guardians Over White Sox 6-5 In AL Central Showdown

By Associated Press 1 min read
Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio hits a game winning home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series between the top two teams in the AL Central.

Cleveland (46-42) rallied from a three-run deficit and trails Chicago (45-41) by less than a full percentage point atop the division standings.

Pinch-hitter David Fry launched a solo homer in the seventh that trimmed the Guardians’ deficit to 5-4.

White Sox reliever Grant Taylor (4-2) walked Rhys Hoskins leading off the ninth. Kahlil Watson flied out to center before Rocchio pulled a 99 mph fastball down the right-field line for his sixth home run this season.

Tim Herrin (1-3) pitched a perfect inning for the win.

Starting at /week.