Rocchio delivers 2-run double in 9th, Guardians rally to stun White Sox 7-6 and tighten AL Central

CLEVELAND (AP) — Brayan Rocchio came through again, hitting a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Cleveland Guardians a comeback 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox that tightened the AL Central race on Tuesday night.

With runners at second and third, Rocchio, who has seven career walk-off plate appearances, hit a fly toward the left-field corner off Grant Taylor (7-3) that just eluded a diving try by outfielder Sam Antonacci.

When the ball hit the turf, Rocchio flung his helmet in the air and Cleveland's dugout emptied onto the field to celebrate. Rocchio has developed a knack for late-season heroics with four of his walk-off hits coming in September.

The Guardians' rally moved them within a half game of the first-place White Sox. The teams will play the series finale on Wednesday. The White Sox, who lost at least 100 games in each of the past three seasons, have held at least a share of first since July 4.

Rookie Travis Bazzana hit a pair of homers for Cleveland. Closer Cade Smith (6-1) got five outs — on just 16 pitches — and should be available Wednesday.

Jo Adell and Bazzana hit back-to-back homers in the first inning for the Guardians, who couldn't capitalize on their early 3-0 lead and fell behind before coming up with a victory that kept their division title hopes alive.

Down 4-2, the White Sox scored four in the sixth with Miguel Vargas delivering his two-out single.

Chicago loaded the bases off Cleveland's Craig Yoho on a pair of walks and a single before Chase Meidroth hit an RBI single, Randal Grichuk had a sacrifice fly and Vargas ripped a single into left off reliever Hunter Gaddis.

Adell was acquired at the trade deadline to give Cleveland more power, and he provided plenty in the first with his 22nd homer — a 442-foot shot.

Rookie LHP Parker Messick (11-9, 2.51 ERA) starts the series finale for the Guardians. He's 1-1 against the White Sox, who have yet to name a starter.

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Cleveland Guardians' Travis Bazzana (37) is congratulated by Angel Genao, right, after hitting a home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio dives for home plate in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a game winning double in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Chicago White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci (17) can't get to the ball on a game winning double hit by Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio, right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a game winning double in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s trade deficit totaled 1.1 trillion yen ($7 billion) last month as surging oil prices due to the conflicts in the Middle East sent the cost of imports soaring.

It was the fourth straight month of red ink, according to the Finance Ministry’s preliminary data Wednesday.

Resource-poor Japanimports virtually all its oil. Previously that came mostly through the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has been curtailed due the stalemated Iran war.

Japan’s imports in August rose 28% from the same month a year ago to 11.15 trillion yen ($71.9 billion), as the price of oil soared.

Japan’s exports rose 19.3% to 10 trillion yen ($64.5 billion), mainly in computer chips and autos.

By nation or region, Japan’s exports to the U.S. grew 24.9% from the previous year, while imports from the U.S. rose 55.2%.

Japan’s exports to the Middle East declined 5.2%, while imports from that region fell 4.2%. Japan’s exports to Europe edged up 11%, while imports gained 20.4%.

The price of Brent crude has soared over the last year, from the upper $60 levels per barrel to more than $100. That reached as high as $118 a barrel in April.

The focus is now on what the U.S. and Japan might do on interest rates. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made remarks widely seen as prodding Japan’s central bank to raise interest rates, a move that would support the yen.

The yen has fallen recently against the U.S. dollar, although it briefly gained due to joint intervention by the U.S. and Japan.

The dollar is trading recently at about 155 yen. Some analysts are expecting it to fall to about or below 150 yen later this year.

The Bank of Japan meets later this week to decide on its benchmark interest rate. Markets are already figuring in a raise to 1.25% from the current 1%.

A stronger yen would help at a time when the nation must import oil and other products, including food and raw materials.

It would hurt giant exporters like Toyota Motor Corp., by reducing the value of exports when converted into yen.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is promising more government spending, as well as a reduction of the consumption tax on food.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to lift its short-term interest rate Wednesday for the first time in three years to fight stubbornly high inflation.

Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama

A customer fills up the tank of a vehicle at a gasoline station in Tokyo, on March 18, 2026. (Naoki Kawano/Kyodo News via AP)