Guardians Secure Home Opener Victory with Walk-Off Walk

Cleveland defeats White Sox 1-0 in frigid conditions, highlighted by strong pitching and a historic ninth-inning finish.

Nolan Jones drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a dramatic 1-0 win for the Guardians in their home opener against the Chicago White Sox.
The game featured stellar pitching performances, with Cleveland’s Ben Lively delivering five shutout innings and Chicago’s Shane Smith allowing just two hits over six innings.
Freezing 35-degree weather with snow flurries added to the challenge, making it one of the coldest home openers in Progressive Field history.
Ceremonial events honored baseball history, including the 50th anniversary of Frank Robinson becoming MLB’s first Black manager, with his family presenting the lineup card.
Veteran José Ramírez reflected on the emotional significance of Cleveland’s opening day, reinforcing the team’s commitment to improvement after a challenging 3-6 road trip.