CJ Kayfus Hits First MLB Home Run as Cleveland Guardians Defeat Chicago White Sox 3-1 for Fifth Straight Win

Saturday, August 9th, 2025

Cleveland Guardians Defeat Chicago White Sox 3-1 with CJ Kayfus’s First MLB Homer

The Cleveland Guardians extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on August 9, 2025. Rookie CJ Kayfus hit his first major league home run and scored twice, playing a key role in the Guardians' success at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Game Highlights

CJ Kayfus, recently called up to the majors on August 2, delivered an impressive performance. He homered in the sixth inning, pushing the Guardians ahead with a 3-1 lead. Earlier, Kayfus walked and scored the tiebreaking run when Brayan Rocchio doubled in the fourth inning.

Kayfus had already made an impact in Friday night's game with a three-run double and continues to shine, collecting seven hits in his first 23 MLB at-bats, four of which have gone for extra bases.

Steven Kwan set the tone from the outset, leading off the game with a double and scoring on Kyle Manzardo’s single for Cleveland’s first run. The Guardians offense kept pressure on the White Sox throughout the game.

Pitching Performances

Joey Cantillo (3-2) started for Cleveland and pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on four hits and two walks, while striking out three batters. The Guardians bullpen was solid, with Cade Smith closing out the game for his fifth save by pitching a perfect ninth inning.

For the White Sox, Michael A. Taylor provided a spark with his eighth home run of the season, tying the game in the second inning. Taylor tallied two of Chicago’s four hits on the night. Starter Sean Burke (4-9) allowed two runs on five hits over 3 1/3 innings, striking out seven but walking three.

Key Moment

CJ Kayfus’s first career home run not only gave the Guardians breathing room, but also placed him in the record books. Kayfus became the first Cleveland player since current teammate Carlos Santana in 2010 to record four extra-base hits, including a home run, in his first seven major league games.

Key Stat

With this win, the Guardians climbed to 61-55, putting them six games over .500 for the first time since June 4, when they were 33-27.

Up Next

The series finale is set for Sunday. The Guardians will send right-hander Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.72 ERA) to the mound against the White Sox’s Davis Martin (3-9, 4.11 ERA) as they look to keep their winning streak alive.

In summary

The Cleveland Guardians secured a 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on August 9, 2025, marked by CJ Kayfus’s first MLB home run and solid pitching from Joey Cantillo. The win propelled the Guardians six games above .500 and extended their winning streak to five games as they continued their push in the playoff race.

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