White Sox Blank Guardians in ALDS Opener
CLEVELAND (AP) — Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run homer, five Chicago pitchers combined for a three-hitter and the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in Game 1 of their AL Division Series. Colson Montgomery added an RBI double for the White Sox, who have won nine of their last 11 games dating back to the regular season. Chicago advanced to the division series after sweeping Houston in the wild card series. Cleveland — which won its third straight AL Central title by one game over the White Sox — had the bases loaded with two outs the third and fourth innings, but couldn’t get any runs across.
Rays Shut Out Yankees in Game 1
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the eighth inning, Jonathan Aranda homered off Gerrit Cole and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 1-0 in their AL Division Series opener. Rasmussen retired 15 consecutive batters before Austin Wells doubled with two outs in the eighth, ripping a line drive just inside the right-field line on an inside sinker. He tried for a triple but was easily thrown out at third. A 31-year-old righty, Rasmussen struck out 10 and walked two in eight innings against a Yankees lineup again missing injured slugger Aaron Judge. Bryan Baker pitched a perfect ninth for the save.