CHICAGO — Jose Ramirez delivered again for Cleveland when it needed him most, belting a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning of Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Rate Field to give the Guardians a 3-2 lead over the Chicago White Sox. One night after his epic performance in Game 3, the 34-year-old silenced a raucous Chicago crowd with a shot to right field that landed in the Guardians' bullpen as Cleveland looks to keep its season alive and force a Game 5.
The homer came off White Sox reliever Jordan Hicks on a 99.9 mph four-seam fastball, the fastest pitch Ramirez has ever hit for a home run in his career. Under pitch tracking since 2008, it is tied for the fastest pitch a Cleveland player has hit for a postseason homer, matching Brayan Rocchio's solo shot off Detroit's Troy Melton in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series last season. A collection of Cleveland pitchers jumped up and down in pure excitement as the ball landed in their bullpen.
Ramirez has not been himself offensively this season following left hamate surgery in June, but he appears to be rounding into peak form at the perfect time in October. The blast was his 43rd career postseason hit, tying Jim Thome for third in Cleveland franchise history. Any concerns about his ability to deliver in October were quickly erased over the past two nights.
Cleveland entered Game 4 needing a win to extend the series, and Ramirez provided the swing that put the Guardians in front. After grinding through the regular season while recovering from surgery, his back-to-back impact nights have given Cleveland a chance to push the ALDS to a decisive Game 5.