Guardians score vs. White Sox. Khalil Watson leads Cleveland over Chicago

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Guardians score vs. White Sox. Khalil Watson leads Cleveland over Chicago

Field Level Media, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Wed, Jun 24, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Rookie outfielder Kahlil Watson went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including the go-ahead run-scoring single in the 10th inning as the visiting Cleveland Guardians topped the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Wednesday, June 24.

Cleveland navigated a wild finish to tie Chicago atop the American League Central and avoid a three-game series sweep.

Shawn Armstrong (2-1) recorded the final four outs while stranding five White Sox runners. Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the 10th but was unable to score. Chase Meidroth bounced into a forceout at the plate, then Braden Montgomery grounded out to first base to end the game.

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Anthony Kay (18) and catcher Kyle Teel (8) walk to the dugout prior to a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Anthony Kay (18) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (8) throws the ball to pitcher Anthony Kay (not pictured) against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Anthony Kay (18) prepares to pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) celebrates his single against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Kyle Manzardo (9) reacts after striking out as Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (8) throws the ball during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (8) completes a mound visit and chats with pitcher Anthony Kay (18) against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Jun 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams (32) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
(Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)

Cleveland was one out from victory in the ninth before closer Cade Smith , who leads the majors with 24 saves, squandered his second save opportunity of the series.

With two outs in the ninth, Montgomery and Randal Grichuk belted solo homers on back-to-back pitches to forge a 3-3 tie. The next two batters reached before Armstrong entered and retired Miguel Vargas on a flyout to center field to escape further trouble.

Steven Kwan had two hits for the Guardians and preserved a one-run lead with a tumbling catch of a Grichuk line drive to end the seventh. The Guardians went ahead 3-1 in the eighth as Patrick Bailey worked a bases-loaded walk against Joe Rock .

Cleveland Guardians' Kahlil Watson hits a two-run single against the Chicago White Sox on June 24, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.

Grant Taylor (2-1) allowed an unearned run in the 10th to take the loss.

Jacob Gonzalez and Vargas had two hits apiece for Chicago.

A rain delay postponed the start of the game by two hours, 40 minutes. Fans who remained at Rate Field for the 4:50 p.m. ET first pitch waited five innings to see any scoring.

Brayan Rocchio singled to open the sixth before the first of two White Sox errors in the inning and a walk loaded the bases.

Erick Fedde fanned Rhys Hoskins for the first out, but Watson lined a two-run single to left field one batter later.

Cleveland Guardians starter Tanner Bibee throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox on June 24, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.

Fedde worked in bulk relief after Chris Murphy served as the opener, retiring the first four Guardians hitters he faced. Fedde scattered two runs, one earned, and five hits in four innings. He walked three and struck out two.

Guardians starter Tanner Bibee spaced three hits with one walk and three strikeouts over six shutout innings in a no-decision.

The White Sox scored their first run in the seventh on a Montgomery sacrifice fly.

Watson finished 5-for-9 with six RBIs in the series. He collected his first major league hit on Monday and belted his first homer on Tuesday.

Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iv‡n Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium.
(Jeff Curry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Cleveland Guardians center fielder Daniel Schneemann, left, almost collides with right fielder Angel Martinez as he catches a fly ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson (not pictured) on April 13, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri.
(Jeff Curry, Jeff Curry-Imagn Images)

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning on April 12, 2026, in Cumberland, Georgia.
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick throws against the Atlanta Braves on April 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
(Ken Blaze, Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

Cleveland Guardians rookie Juan Brito hits a double for his first career hit during the second inning of his Major League debut against the Kansas City Royals on April 7, 2026, in Cleveland.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the franchise's all time leader in games played during a game against the Kansas City Royals on April 6, 2026, in Cleveland.
(David Dermer, David Dermer-Imagn Images)

Cleveland Guardians' CJ Kayfus celebrates his solo home run with designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on April 5, 2026, in Cleveland.
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)

Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) makes a catch in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs.
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez slides safely into second base during the home opener against the Chicago Cubs, April 3, 2026, in Cleveland.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Apr 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Daniel Schneemann (10) steals third base during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Mar 29, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) scores a run off an RBI double hit by Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Mar 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) celegbrates with centerfielder Steven Kwan (38) after hitting a two-run home run during the tenth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
(Stephen Brashear, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Mar 27, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
(Stephen Brashear, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Mar 26, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

White Sox look to sweep Guardians after long rain delay

Fueled by successive one-run victories over the rival Cleveland Guardians , the Chicago White Sox have won nine consecutive home series.

On Wednesday afternoon, June 24, Chicago will try for a sweep in an American League Central showdown that has seen the team grab a one-game division lead over Cleveland.

The White Sox have won 22 of their past 26 games at Rate Field entering the finale of a three-game series.

"The fans, you know," Chicago manager Will Venable said of the crowds, which have averaged 26,017 in the first two games of the series. "These guys respond to our fans, who are coming out and just doing a great job of giving them energy, and we've seen it every night we've been here."

Cleveland out-hit Chicago 6-3 on Tuesday but lost 2-1. Kahlil Watson and Austin Hedges contributed two hits apiece, with Watson delivering his first career home run.

Starter Parker Messick allowed just two hits and struck out a career-high 10 batters in 7⅔ innings, but the Guardians couldn't break through against White Sox pitchers Sean Burke and Sean Newcomb .

"I think we're playing the guys that we want to play, and I think we're matching up when we need to, when we have to," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said of his offense. "But we've got to trust all 13 [position players] like we are. We're figuring it out, but we're just not getting anything going right now, and it's tough."

Miguel Vargas' go-ahead solo home run leading off the sixth inning — his career-best 17th homer of the season — was the difference for Chicago.

"Vargy just continues to make good swing decisions, and he's putting really good swings on good pitches to hit," Venable said.

Colson Montgomery drove in Chicago's first run with an RBI single, stopping a slide of four straight games without a hit.

Right-hander Tanner Bibee (2-8, 4.03 ERA) will start for the Guardians on Wednesday as he aims to win for the third time in four starts this month.

After blazing through Texas and Detroit , allowing two runs and five hits in 15 innings to begin the month, Bibee took the loss at Houston on June 19. He yielded four runs (three earned) and four hits in 5⅓ innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He left with the lead, but the bullpen was unable to preserve it, as Cleveland fell 9-3.

"Obviously, I want to stay out there," Bibee said. "But, like I've said before, it's Vogt's job to tell me when I'm done. He told me I was done."

Bibee has pitched effectively against the White Sox in his career, going 4-0 with a 4.06 ERA in five starts, with 30 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Right-hander Erick Fedde (2-6, 4.46 ERA) is set to start for the White Sox on Wednesday after working in bulk relief in his past three outings. He suffered the loss at Detroit on Friday, allowing two runs and four hits in 4⅔ innings with one walk and four strikeouts in a 4-3 defeat.

After yielding at least one home run in nine of his 10 appearances in April and May, Fedde has allowed just one in 17⅓ innings this month.

He is 2-0 with a 3.52 ERA in five career appearances against Cleveland covering 23 innings, including four starts.

The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kahlil Watson, Shawn Armstrong help Guardians beat White Sox in 10

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Guardians score vs. White Sox. Khalil Watson leads Cleveland over Chicago

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