Petey Halpin Homer Sends Guardians Into First Place in AL Central
Petey Halpin's three-run homer lifted the Cleveland Guardians past the White Sox 6-3 and into sole possession of first place in the AL Central.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
The Cleveland Guardians moved into sole possession of first place in the American League Central on Wednesday, beating the Chicago White Sox 6-3 behind a go-ahead three-run home run from rookie Petey Halpin. With nine games remaining, Cleveland now leads Chicago by half a game in one of MLB’s tightest division races.nn
Halpin flips the game in the sixth
nChicago had taken a 3-2 lead in the fifth when Tommy Pham, activated from the injured list before the game, hit a three-run homer. Cleveland answered one inning later. With two runners aboard and two outs, Halpin drove Sean Newcomb’s elevated sinker into the right-field seats for a three-run shot that turned a one-run deficit into a 5-3 lead. José Ramírez followed later in the inning with an RBI double to make it 6-3.nnThe home run was Halpin’s third of the season and came in a particularly difficult matchup for the rookie, who entered the game with limited success against left-handed pitching.nn
Messick keeps Cleveland close
nParker Messick worked six innings for the Guardians, allowing three runs while striking out eight. He improved to 12-9. Cade Smith handled the final four outs and recorded his 37th save.nnCleveland had taken a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-run single from Jo Adell. Ramírez finished with two doubles, giving him 424 for his career and tying Nap Lajoie for second on Cleveland’s franchise list.nn
Guardians erase Chicago’s long hold on first
nThe result moved Cleveland to 78-75 and Chicago to 77-75. More importantly, it ended the White Sox’s run of 74 consecutive days in first place. The Guardians now hold sole possession of the division lead for the first time since July 3.nnCleveland took two of three games in the head-to-head series after losing Monday’s opener. Tuesday’s 7-6 walk-off win had pulled the Guardians within half a game; Wednesday’s victory completed the swing and put them on top.nnChicago has lost seven of its last nine games and 12 of 17. The White Sox return home for four games against Detroit, while Cleveland has an off day before opening its final home series of the regular season against the Athletics. With only nine games left on Cleveland’s schedule, the AL Central race has shifted again — and Halpin’s sixth-inning swing may prove one of its defining moments.
