Cleveland navigated a wild finish to tie Chicago atop the American League Central and avoid a three-game series sweep.
Shawn Armstrong (2-1) recorded the final four outs while stranding five White Sox runners. Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the 10th but was unable to score. Chase Meidroth bounced into a forceout at the plate, then Braden Montgomery grounded out to first base to end the game.
Cleveland was one out from victory in the ninth before closer Cade Smith, who leads the majors with 24 saves, squandered his second save opportunity of the series.
With two outs in the ninth, Montgomery and Randal Grichuk belted solo homers on back-to-back pitches to forge a 3-3 tie. The next two batters reached before Armstrong entered and retired Miguel Vargas on a flyout to center field to escape further trouble.
Steven Kwan had two hits for the Guardians and preserved a one-run lead with a tumbling catch of a Grichuk line drive to end the seventh. The Guardians went ahead 3-1 in the eighth as Patrick Bailey worked a bases-loaded walk against Joe Rock.
Grant Taylor (2-1) allowed an unearned run in the 10th to take the loss.
Jacob Gonzalez and Vargas had two hits apiece for Chicago.
A rain delay postponed the start of the game by two hours, 40 minutes. Fans who remained at Rate Field for the 4:50 p.m. ET first pitch waited five innings to see any scoring.
Bryan Rocchio singled to open the sixth before the first of two White Sox errors in the inning and a walk loaded the bases.
Erick Fedde fanned Rhys Hoskins for the first out, but Watson lined a two-run single to left field one batter later.
Fedde worked in bulk relief after Chris Murphy served as the opener, retiring the first four Guardians hitters he faced. Fedde scattered two runs, one earned, and five hits in four innings. He walked three and struck out two.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee spaced three hits with one walk and three strikeouts over six shutout innings in a no-decision.
The White Sox scored their first run in the seventh on a Montgomery sacrifice fly.
Watson finished 5-for-9 with six RBIs in the series. He collected his first major league hit on Monday and belted his first homer on Tuesday.
