José Ramírez’s two-run single was the highlight of a big eighth inning, as Tanner Bibee and three relievers combined for a four-hit shutout, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 7-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night.
Cleveland scored six runs in the eighth inning, with five hits and a bases-loaded walk from David Fry contributing to their offensive surge. Ramírez’s single up the middle brought his RBI total to 79 for the season, the second-highest in MLB behind Aaron Judge of the Yankees (86).
Brayan Rocchio added a two-run single and Tyler Freeman had a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning rally. The Guardians, who boast the best home record in MLB at 31-11, now have an overall record of 59-37, second only to the Philadelphia Phillies (62-35).
“We’re in a good spot right now, but we’re also looking to step it up,” said Bibee about the team’s approach heading into the trade deadline. Bibee (8-4) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and keeping San Diego from advancing a runner beyond second base.
Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Nick Sandlin completed Cleveland’s ninth shutout of the season.
“Tanner has proven he’s a top-tier pitcher,” said Fry. “Now everyone in the league is seeing it. He keeps delivering scoreless innings.”
Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth each had two hits for San Diego, which remains 1 1/2 games behind in the race for the final NL wild-card spot. Arraez opted to sit out the All-Star Game to rest his injured left thumb.
“We started well and got Bibee’s pitch count up, but couldn’t capitalize,” noted San Diego’s Manny Machado. “We hit the ball hard, but right at the defenders.”
