White Sox look to continue winning ways vs. Guardians

Improbably, the Chicago White Sox are playing some of the best baseball in the majors.

The last-place squad in the American League Central Division is 9-2 since Aug. 31, matching the Baltimore Orioles for the top mark in the sport during that stretch.

White Sox left-hander Martin Perez (1-4, 3.15 ERA) will try to keep the good times rolling Friday in their three-game series opener in Cleveland. Right-hander Tanner Bibee (9-11, 4.69 ERA) starts for the Guardians.

"Obviously, that's a big step forward for us with the record what it was in the first half," Chicago manager Will Venable said. "It's a testament to these guys and the work they've done, continuing to go out there and fight every day."

The White Sox wrapped up their three-game set in the Windy City with a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Shane Smith tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and fellow rookies Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel drove in two runs apiece.

Second baseman Chase Meidroth, who made his debut April 11, reached base in all four plate appearances with two singles and two walks. Chicago (57-90) has split its 50 contests since the All-Star break.

"There is more to do, but we're just trying to build on top of each game and learn how to continue to play together," Meidroth said. "We want to build up momentum rolling into next year."

Perez has had little success against Cleveland throughout his 14-year career, going 1-2 with a 7.39 ERA in 10 appearances. It is his second-worst ERA against an opponent, behind an 8.54 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Guardians (75-71) remain on the periphery of the AL wild-card race after winning three times in their four-game home series against the Kansas City Royals, punctuated by a 3-2 come-from-behind triumph Thursday.

Rookie outfielder C.J. Kayfus delivered the go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth off John Schreiber, giving Cleveland its first lead of the night. Bo Naylor also scored on the play as the final two men in the batting order combined to rescue the Guardians.

"That was truly, probably the best feeling I've ever had in my life right there," Kayfus said, still amped up a half-hour after being mobbed by his teammates in the dugout. "There is no feeling in the world like that one. As soon as I hit it, I knew it was gone. And if it didn't go, it was all I had to give."

Naylor led off the inning with a single after doubling in the fifth, which raised his average to .181. Kayfus had just two homers in 105 plate appearances in the majors before his 425-foot rocket cleared the fence in center.

"Shout-out to C.J. for coming up, clutching that moment; it was electric," Naylor said. "Being able to get on base was super huge for me, and giving C.J. the chance to change the game was big, for sure."

Bibee's four previous starts against the White Sox have been a mixed bag, as he's posted a 3-0 record with a 5.73 ERA and 34 baserunners over 22 innings. His recent work has also been subpar, going four straight games without a victory, with two losses and a 5.47 ERA.