CLEVELAND -- Murmurs enveloped Progressive Field in the sixth inning on Monday, as Guardians lefty Tim Herrin readied for an 0-2 offering against White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery. For as still as the ballpark felt in that moment, perhaps nervous with anticipation, it didn’t last.
A groan reverberated around the yard moments later, after first baseman Nathaniel Lowe’s throw to shortstop Brayan Rocchio deflected off the helmet of baserunner Tristan Peters. Suddenly, the Guardians were trailing, and the floodgates soon opened.
Lowe’s throwing error was among several moments that loomed large during Chicago’s six-run sixth inning Monday, in the Guardians’ 7-3 loss to the White Sox in the opener of a critical three-game series between the AL Central rivals.
There are two weeks remaining in the regular season, but this is Cleveland’s best chance to overcome the division-leading Sox in the Central. That goal is still is on the table, but it will require winning the final two games of this series.
The Guardians (76-75) now sit 1 1/2 games behind the White Sox (77-73), and Chicago also secured the season series on Monday, which would serve as an all-important tiebreaker if needed in two weeks.
The Guardians had to sweep this series to avoid that reality. They now must respond to keep themselves in this race and fight for their postseason lives. Cleveland was in danger of falling into a tie with Toronto for the final AL Wild Card spot, but the Blue Jays fell in their series opener vs. the Tigers.
“We've got 12 games left,” manager Stephen Vogt said pregame. “We've got a long way to go. We know what's at stake these first three games. They are important and they're big because we get to play a divisional opponent that we're chasing. But this is what you work all spring, all offseason, all regular season. You work so that you can be playing meaningful games in September.”
Starter Gavin Williams held the White Sox scoreless through the fifth, but his night ended after Andrew Benintendi led off the sixth with a single, and Peters followed with a walk in an 18-pitch plate appearance.
Colson Montgomery followed with a grounder to Lowe, who had the chance to record at least one out. Benintendi scored on his throwing error. Chase Meidroth and Kyle Teel each had an ensuing RBI hit before Miguel Vargas delivered the big blow with a two-run homer.
The Guardians, meanwhile, tallied just three runs on seven hits, including a two-run homer by David Fry with two outs in the ninth.