Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer, and Cleveland’s bullpen was excellent once again, leading the Guardians to a 5-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night after Ben Lively left the game with a leg injury.
With a record of 33-113, the White Sox are nearing the all-time record for losses since 1900, which is 120 by the 1962 New York Mets in their first season.
Thomas also had a double and scored on Kyle Manzardo’s single in the second inning. In the sixth inning, with two runners on and one out, Thomas hit a deep drive to left-center off Gus Varland’s second pitch for his 11th home run of the season.
Thomas, who was traded from Washington on July 29, had a tough start with the new team but is now hitting .364 (12 for 33) with three homers and nine RBIs in September.
“You just work day in and day out, and eventually you find something that kind of helps,” Thomas said. “I feel like the game kicks you in the teeth quite a bit, and you just got to work through those little stretches.”
After Lively left with a bruised right thigh, six Cleveland relievers pitched seven innings and gave up only four hits. Pedro Avila (6-1) earned the win by getting six outs.
Thanks to Thomas and their dependable bullpen, the AL Central-leading Guardians remain 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place Kansas City.
“Those guys stepped up in a huge way,” manager Stephen Vogt said of his relievers. “They were all efficient. Did their job, and then some.”
Chicago was shut out for the 17th time and managed just five hits. They have now lost a franchise-record 14 straight games at home.
“We had a couple of good swings here and there,” interim manager Grady Sizemore said. “We got some guys on, but just not the big hit when guys were on and weren’t able to grind at-bats and make them work at all.”
The 32-year-old Lively was struck on the outside of his right leg by a line drive from Dominic Fletcher in the second inning. The ball bounced to first baseman Josh Naylor, who stepped on the base for the final out of the inning.
Lively mentioned that he received treatment and ice for the injury and believes he should be able to pitch in his next game.
“It hit me and like my leg just gave out,” he said. “Next thing I know I was on the ground and it was just stinging.”
After Avila left, Eli Morgan, Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, Hunter Gaddis, and Erik Sabrowski combined to finish the game.
Cleveland’s bullpen has an impressive 37-11 record and leads the major leagues with a 2.76 ERA. “That’s a really close-knit group out there,” Vogt said.
White Sox rookie Jonathan Cannon (3-10) allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Gus Varland got two outs before Sean Burke took over and pitched three innings in his major league debut. Burke, who was called up from Triple-A Charlotte, gave up one run and three hits.
Burke, a third-round pick from the 2021 amateur draft who had shoulder issues last year, is expected to make at least one more start for Chicago in the remainder of the season.
“It was unbelievable. This is definitely the best day of my life,” Burke said. “It’s something I’ve worked for since I picked up a baseball for the first time. It’s hard to put into words right now.”
