Brayan Rocchio has done this before, and he did it again Thursday night in the most dramatic fashion possible. The Guardians shortstop crushed a two run walk off home run off the right field foul pole in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a 6-5 victory over Chicago at Progressive Field, pulling the Guardians into a virtual tie for first place in the AL Central. It was Rocchio’s second career walk-off homer, and it came off the same foul pole where he ended the 2025 regular season with a blast that clinched the AL Central title and capped the biggest comeback in MLB history.
The Guardians captured the moment for their fan base immediately after the final out.
“We love you, Brayan Rocchio,” Guardians posted.
We love you, Brayan Rocchio.#GuardsBall | #GuardiWWins pic.twitter.com/WHA5pAvblz
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 3, 2026
Rocchio’s heroics came after Cleveland spent much of the evening digging out of a hole created by a rough outing from Slade Cecconi.
Rocc and roll. 🤘#GuardsBall | #GuardiWWins pic.twitter.com/M31ooKJjN8
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 3, 2026
The right hander allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings as Chicago’s lineup punished four doubles in the fifth to build a 5-2 advantage. The White Sox entered the ninth needing just three outs to take the series opener, with reliever Grant Taylor on the mound and the Guardians trailing 5-4. Rhys Hoskins drew a leadoff walk, and after Taylor retired Kahlil Watson, Rocchio jumped on a first pitch 99 mile per hour fastball and drove it onto the foul pole in right field to set off a celebration at Progressive Field.
The victory gives Cleveland sole possession of first place on a percentage basis entering the second game of the four-game series Friday night, with Parker Messick set to face Chicago. The season series between these two clubs has now produced four one-run games in its first four meetings, a pattern that reflects just how evenly matched they are and how much the next several weeks could shape the division race heading into the second half and beyond.
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