Jose Ramirez Leads Guardians Past White Sox in ALDS Game 3

CHICAGO — Jose Ramirez went 2-for-5 with a two-run triple and made a bases-loaded defensive play Wednesday night, lifting the Cleveland Guardians to a 9-3 win over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, according to ESPN. The win pulls Cleveland within 2-1 in the best-of-five series, with Game 4 set for Thursday in Chicago.

What did Ramirez do in Game 3?

Ramirez reached base three times. He stole third base and scored on a hard-hit ground ball with Chicago's infield playing in, then delivered a two-run triple in the eighth inning off a pitch he hit at 107.9 mph, ESPN reported. He also made what the outlet described as a series-saving defensive play with the bases loaded.

Manager Stephen Vogt said after the game that Ramirez is "one of the best players in the game," adding, "He can hurt you with the bat, the legs, and the glove. He showed all of that today," according to ESPN. One teammate called him "a living legend" after the win, ESPN reported.

Why does this performance stand out this season?

Ramirez had hamate surgery in June and has not swung the bat the same way since, per ESPN. His regular-season slugging percentage of .368 was his lowest since his first partial seasons in the league, the outlet reported. Wednesday's output broke that pattern at the moment Cleveland needed it most.

"It feels special," Ramirez said through the team interpreter, according to ESPN. "You know the type of season I had, but it's important for us to win any game going forward, because for us it's do-or-die. So it feels really good. Feels good to help the team."

What does the win mean for the ALDS series?

Cleveland trailed the series 2-0 entering Game 3 and faced elimination with a loss, ESPN reported. The 9-3 victory keeps the Guardians alive and sets up a Game 4 in Chicago on Thursday. A White Sox win in Game 4 would end Cleveland's season; a Guardians win would force a decisive Game 5.

Game 3 by the numbers

• Final score: Guardians 9, White Sox 3
• Series: White Sox lead 2-1
• Ramirez: 2-for-5, two-run triple, stolen base, run scored
• Exit velocity on first hit: 107.9 mph
• Ramirez's 2026 regular-season slugging percentage: .368, his lowest since his first partial seasons

What happens next?

Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday in Chicago, with Cleveland needing a win to force a fifth and deciding game, per ESPN's report. The White Sox can close out the series and advance with a victory.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported from Chicago. The full account, including additional quotes from Vogt and Ramirez, is available at ESPN.com.