Two-out hit in ninth foils no-hitter bid

CHICAGO — Dylan Cease came within one out of his first no-hitter as the streaking Chicago White Sox pounded Minnesota 13-0 on Saturday.

Cease (13-6) got a huge ovation when came out to start the ninth inning. With fans on their feet, he struck out rookie Caleb Hamilton swinging on a 1-and-2 slider and retired Gilberto Celestino on a fly to center.

Luis Arraez, the American League’s leading hitter, then dumped a line-drive single into rightcenter on a 1-and-1 pitch, ending Cease’s bid for Chicago’s third no-hitter in as many years. Lucas Giolito tossed one against Pittsburgh in 2020, and Carlos Rodon did it against Cleveland in April 2021.

After a meeting on the mound, Cease struck out Kyle Garlick to finish his first nine-inning complete game. The 26-year-old right-hander threw a seven-inning shutout against Detroit in 2021.

Cease walked Jake Cave in the third and Celestino in the sixth for the Twins’ only other baserunners. Cave was erased when Gary Sanchez bounced into a double play. Celestino was stranded when Cease struck out Arraez.

Cease had seven strikeouts — none until the fifth inning. He threw 103 pitches, 68 for strikes.

Eloy Jimenez, Romy Gonzalez and Elvis Andrus homered as the White Sox rolled to their fourth straight win after losing 10 of 12. The defending AL Central champions, who trail division leader Cleveland by two games, pulled within one of second-place Minnesota.

■ Rays 2, Yankees 1: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Yandy Diaz hit a two-run single in the third to back Corey Kluber (10-7), who allowed two singles in seven shutout innings. Aaron Judge hit his 52nd homer of the season leading off the ninth.

■ Nationals 7, Mets 1: At New York, Luis Garcia homered off Max Scherzer, doubled twice and singled in Washington’s five-run ninth. Scherzer (sore left oblique) exited after five innings.

■ Red Sox 5, Rangers 3: At Boston, Rafael Devers had two hits and two RBIS to back Brayan Bello (1-4), who pitched six shutout innings in his first major league win.

■ Braves 2, Marlins 1: At Atlanta, Robbie Grossman drew a tiebreaking bases-loaded walk in the ninth, handing Miami its majors-high 30th one-run loss this year.

■ Giants 5, Phillies 4: At San Francisco, Joc Pederson hit RBI singles in the San Francisco third and fifth and drew a tiebreaking bases-loaded walk in the sixth.

■ Mariners 4, Guardians 0: At Cleveland, Ty France homered to back Robbie Ray (12-8), who pitched six shutout innings in Seattle’s sixth straight win.

■ Cardinals 8, Cubs 4: At St. Louis, Paul Goldschmidt, Tommy Edman and Tyler O’neill homered for St. Louis, which has won seven straight series.

■ Orioles 8, Athletics 1: At Baltimore, Ryan Mountcastle hit two of Baltimore’s five homers and totaled four RBIS in the Orioles’ fourth straight win.

■ Royals 12, Tigers 2: At Detroit, UNLV product Kyle Isbel hit his first major league grand slam, one of Kansas City’s four homers.

■ Blue Jays 4, Pirates 1: At Pittsburgh, Bo Bichette’s two hits included a tiebreaking threerun double in the seventh.

■ Rockies at Reds, ppd., rain: The game was rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader Sunday.

Nam Y. Huh The Associated Press Dylan Cease held the Twins hitless two outs into the ninth inning Saturday, ultimately shutting them out on one hit and two walks as the White Sox coasted to a 13-0 victory.