The Cleveland Guardians advanced to the American League Championship Series with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 5 of the AL Division Series on Saturday night at Progressive Field.

José Ramírez delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run in the fourth inning off White Sox starter Sean Burke. The blast, on a pitch just above home plate, accounted for the game's only runs and marked Ramírez's second straight game with a homer.

Guardians pitching dominated throughout, recording a postseason-record 21 strikeouts in the nine-inning contest. Starter Gavin Williams struck out 12 batters over five-plus innings, tying a Cleveland franchise record for a postseason game. Relievers Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, and Cade Smith combined to finish the shutout, with Smith earning the save by striking out the side in the ninth.

The win completed a comeback from a 0-2 series deficit for Cleveland, which had dropped the first two games on the road. The Guardians improved to 85-77 on the season and will open the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night in Tampa Bay.

The White Sox, who finished the regular season at 84-78, managed just three hits and struck out 75 times across the five-game series. The defeat ended Chicago's surprising playoff appearance following three consecutive 100-loss seasons.

Cleveland, which captured its third straight AL Central title, is seeking its first World Series appearance since 2016 and its first championship since 1948.