Beating the Chicago White Sox isn’t a foregone conclusion.

The Sox have improved over last year, when they posted the worst record in modern baseball history (41-121).

So give the Cleveland Guardians credit for beating the Sox 3-1 last night at Rate Field. Cleveland has won five in a row, and they have cut Detroit’s lead in the AL Central from 15½ games to five.

SOLID PITCHING

Cantillo gave up just four hits in 5 1/3 innings of work to improve his record to 3-2. Not bad for a guy who started the season in the bullpen.

Speaking of the bullpen, the Guardians relievers did not give up a hit as they shut down the White Sox for the rest of the game.

Nic Enright, Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski and Cade Smith made sure that the loss of Emmanuel Clase was not a problem on this night.

EVERYBODY HITS … SOMETIME

Jose Ramirez hasn’t been hitting well during the five-game winning streak, but his teammates are picking him up.

Kyle Manzardo singled to score Steven Kwan in the first inning off Chicago starter Sean Burke (4-9).

White Sox right fielder Michael Taylor tied the game with a solo homer off Cantillo in the second inning.

Cleveland took the lead in the fourth when Brayan Rocchio doubled to score CJ Kayfus.

In the sixth, Kayfus blasted his first major-league home run to right field to increase Cleveland’s lead to 3-1.

TWO SWEEPS ON THE ROAD?

The Guardians swept the New York Mets on the road, and they will try to repeat that feat today at Rate Field against the White Sox.

Slade Cecconi (5-4) will take the mound for Cleveland against Chicago’s David Martin (3-9). First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. Eastern time.