CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – For much of the season the Guardians have found a way to get the big hit.
Friday night they did not.
Tanner Bibee was unable to get through the fifth inning and suffered just his third loss of the season while the Guardians left 11 runners on base in a 4-2 loss to the Giants at Progressive Field.
Here’s the top news and notes from the series opener with the Giants.
Battling Bibee – Bibee racked up a lot of pitches early which contributed to him not getting out of the fifth. The right hander allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts. “Kind of struggled with his command a little bit in the first, they made him work,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “They got some big hits. They capitalized with people in scoring position, but I thought he settled in pretty well after that. They just had got his pitch count up and they made him work all night.” Both walks came in the three-run first inning along with three of the hits, including a two-run double from Giants left fielder Michael Conforto. Bibee threw 32 pitches before getting out of trouble. “I really just didn't throw strikes the first inning,” Bibee said. “I think going into the second inning at 35 pitches, whatever it was, and then it's not a good recipe to go deep into a game.” He would strike out five straight and retire eight in a row before the Giants tacked on another run off of a perfectly executed safety squeeze bunt by shortstop Nick Ahmed in the fourth inning, which was also aided by an error from shortstop Gabriel Arias. “After that first inning, I feel like I made some adjustments and the pitch count was just way too up there,” Bibee said.
Big hitless – The Guardians went 0-11 with runners in scoring position and they left 11 runners on base Friday night. “One of those nights where we had traffic all night, “Vogt said. “It felt like we had two guys on base every single inning, [but] three double plays. And it was just one of those nights that we didn't get the big hit. Credit to their pitchers. They made pitches when they needed to, and these nights happen. It's frustrating. I'm sure our guys are frustrated, but the thing is, is we were putting pressure on him all night, just couldn't quite come through.”
21 and over – Josh Naylor hit his 21st home run of the season – a 427-foot blast into Heritage Park, above the shrubs and into the trees. The home run got the Guardians on the board and cut San Francisco’s lead to 4-1. It also ended a homerless drought for Naylor over his previous 37 plate appearances dating back to June 23.
Gettin’ on – In two games since being called up, Angel Martinez has reached base in six of nine plate appearances. “He doesn't seem rattled, he doesn't seem scared,” Vogt said. “He's up there, has a plan, sticks to his plan. I think that's really what's impressed me is somebody who's first stint in the big leagues, younger player sticks to his plan really, really well. And he had my eyes five quality at bats tonight.”
0 and K club – Four Guardians relievers – Tim Herrin, Cade Smith, Sam Hentges and Nick Sandlin – combined threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings Friday night and combined to strike out eight. It marked the seventh time this season the bullpen struck out eight in a game. Cleveland’s bullpen leads baseball with a 2.57 ERA.
Doby day – The Guardians honored Hall of Famer Larry Doby on the anniversary of him becoming the first African American to play in the American League with the then-named Indians three months after Jackie Robinson integrated baseball with the Dodgers. “I think it's so neat for us to be able to do that and to honor him,” Vogt said. “I think groundbreaking, that's the phrase that comes to mind for him and not knowing a whole lot about him, like you said, growing up in California, but my dad would talk about him all the time and what he meant. So really special day for me and for us.” Doby, a career .288 hitter with 273 home runs and 1,099 RBI, was a seven time All-Star. Doby’s No. 14 was retired by the team in 1994.
Trade – The Guardians acquired right hander Spencer Howard from the Giants for cash. “He’s got the ability to go 75, 80 pitches and talking to some of our guys that checked him out and talking to some of the Giants people, they really like him,” Vogt said. “Like good stuff, good makeup, sounds like he's a great guy and somebody who gives us some length. So we're really excited.” Howard, who will be added to the 26-man roster when he reports, is 4-12 with a 6.93 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 139.0 innings pitched over 45 career appearances spanning five years with Philadelphia, Texas and San Francisco. To make room on the 40, right hander Wes Parsons was designated for assignment.
Late start – Pregame rain showers delayed the game by 26 minutes at the outset.
8 is great – The Guardians sold out their eighth game of the season with 36,769 tickets sold. The team has drawn 959,424 fans through the first 39 home games, an increase of 20.8%. The team should eclipse 1 million fans on Sunday.
Up next – Game 2 with the Giants Saturday at 4:10 p.m. LHP Logan Allen (8-4, 5.75) vs. LHP Kyle Harrison (4-3, 3.96)
