Cleveland- The Guardians offense and pitching gelled on Wednesday night leading Cleveland to victory over Boston. Tanner Bibee was on the hill for the Guardians earning his first win since his Major League debut on April 26. The rookie pitched five innings allowing four hits, one earned run and recording two strikeouts. Bibee has five straight starts of five or more innings pitched with three or fewer earned runs allowed.
Boston got on the board first with a single by Rafael Devers. Cleveland answered back with an RBI single from Josh Bell. The game was tied 1-1. Since returning from paternity leave Bell is riding a six-game hitting streak.
Swingin' a hot bat!
Josh Bell extended his hitting streak to six games with an RBI single to bring the @CleGuardians back to even with the Red Sox after two innings.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/YybTsBHrq1
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) June 7, 2023
In the top of the 4th Enmanuel Valdez reached on a fielding error by first baseman Josh Naylor. This allowed Enrique Hernandez to score putting the Red Sox up 2-1.
Speaking of errors, Boston would make a few of their own in the 4th. Amed Rosario opened the frame with a single. Then Jose Ramirez reached on a fielding error by first baseman Triston Casas. Rosario advanced to 3rd, on a throwing error by second baseman Enmanuel Valdez and Ramirez moved to 2nd. Naylor quickly atoned for his error by singling and bringing home Rosario. The inning wasn’t over as Bell reached on a fielder’s choice and Ramirez scored putting Cleveland up 3-2.
Rosario and Ramirez both doubled in the 5th bringing the score to 5-2. The Guardians bullpen did their job behind Bibee and didn’t allow Boston to score another run. Emmanuel Clase earned his 20th save of the season.
Tito’s wins
With tonight’s win Guardians’ skipper Terry Francona now has the 14th most wins in MLB history. Amongst active managers Francona now ranks third. From 2004-11, Francona served as manager for the Red Sox. In eight seasons with Boston, Francona won two World Series and one American League East title. He tallied a 744-522 overall record in Boston. With his 11th season in Cleveland, Francona has made one World Series appearance and won four American League Central titles. He has an 872-703 overall record in Cleveland.
The Guardians wrap up the series with the Red Sox on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:10.
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