The Cleveland Guardians avoided a series win on Wednesday. Tanner Bibee took the mound in a rare rough outing for the right-hander. Bibee threw 5.0 innings and allowed 5 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. Three of the runs came from home runs, but Bibee struck out 6 batters. Bibee started the 6th inning, walked the first batter and allowed two singles. Tim Herrin came in to relieve Bibee and got two outs before allowing a single to Maikel Garcia. Stephen Vogt turned to the bullpen again and brought in Eli Morgan as the 3rd pitcher in the 6th inning. Morgan faced Bobby Witt Jr. for a 7-pitch duel. With runners on first and second base, a 79.6 mph changeup low was hit into a fly out to end the 6th inning.
Morgan pitched the 7th inning, allowing 1 hit and striking out 2. Hunter Gaddis came in as pitcher in the 8th inning and was back at his best. Gaddis made his 28th hold without allowing a hit or a walk.
Emmanuel Clase finished the game for the Guardians, earning his 39th save of the season and tying Cody Allen for franchise saves. At 26 years old, Clase has a 0.58 ERA in 62.1 innings pitched. He has a WHIP of 0.67 and a staggering ERA+ of 707.
Cleveland’s offense seemed to take an early lead after trailing by two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. After being hit by a pitch, Andrés Giménez advanced to third base when José Ramírez hit a line drive single to right field. Giménez was brought home when Josh Naylor hit a ground ball to right field to lead off the game. The Guardians were not able to close the gap until the bottom of the 5th inning. Jhonkensy Noel started the inning with a single to right field, followed by a single by Daniel Schneemann. Bo Naylor hit a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Trailing by two runs, Steven Kwan hit a pop-up single that allowed Jhonkensy to score and cut the Royals’ lead to one run. By the bottom of the 7th inning, the Royals led the Guardians 5 to 2. With the first pitch of the inning, a 92.4 mph four-seam fastball, Bo Naylor launched a 379-foot home run to right center.
Bo’s 11th home run of the season was just what the Guardians needed to start a comeback. Steven Kwan and Andrés Giménez both hit singles to end the day for Kansas City starter Michael Wacha. The relief pitcher, with runners on 1st and 2nd base, threw a wild pitch that allowed Kwan to advance to 3rd base. With one out, Josh Naylor hit a single to center field, allowing Kwan to score. With two out and runners in scoring position, Will Brennan hit a single for his first hit of the game, allowing Giménez to score and tying the game. Jhonkensy Noel hit a single of his own that was botched by left fielder MJ Melendez, allowing the game-winning run to be scored when Josh Naylor crossed the plate.
At the start of the eighth inning, Giménez took a bow after showing the Royals why his teammates call him Platinum.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, Bo Naylor started again, this time getting hit by a pitch trying to reach base. Bo was lifted up so Lane Thomas could step in as a relief runner. Lane showed off his skills as a baserunner, stealing his 31st of the season and then moving to 3rd base on a throwing error by the catcher. Lane was brought home by a sacrifice fly by Giménez, scoring the Guardian’s last run of the game.
This game was a pure team effort, with every Cleveland batter getting at least one hit. Despite the recent stretch, we as fans are reminded of the greatness we witness every time Emmanuel Clase steps onto the mound as a closer with a real chance to win or even tie for the AL Cy Young Award.
The team has an off day today before heading into a weekend series against the Pirates. Despite this recent stretch, there is still a lot to be excited about from the team. Today proved that the team we have been cheering for all season has delivered in both performance and energy. Hopefully that momentum can continue over the weekend and into September as rosters expand to begin rebuilding the foundation and cushion needed for the playoffs. On top of the pressure of the playoffs, the Guardians face a 17-game stretch to end the season. They truly are getting into a “make every game count” situation.
Mercury was retrograde from August 5th until yesterday. Perhaps this phase is due to bad vibrations.
AL Central Rankings
Cleveland Guardian – 76-58
Kansas City Royals – 75-59 – 1.0GB
Minnesota Twins – 72-60 – 3.0GB
Detroit Tigers – 67-66 – 8.5GB
Chicago White Sox – 31-102 – 44.5GB
With Wednesday’s win, the Guardians remain in 3rd place in the American League, just two games behind the New York Yankees in 1st place. The National League continues to dominate the MLB standings, with the Guardians dropping to 7th place. The Yankees and Orioles are the only American League teams in the top 5, and the Dodgers and Phillies continue to battle for the best team in the league.
Cleveland Guardians News
Anthony Gose was designated for assignment. Again. For the third time.
Mandy Bell spoke to Chris Antonetti about familiar faces in AAA and their potential impact on the team in September.
Around the league
The Chicago Cubs take a win over the Pirates thanks to Christian Bethancourt’s two-RBI single.
