Game Recap 6/11/23 | Guardians Win 5-0 vs Astros

Observations from the Game

3 things about Guardians’ 5-0 victory over Astros:

1 – Bieber brilliant  

Cleveland starter Shane Bieber gave a performance today that was much needed, he gave a quality start going seven strong and giving up zero runs with nine strikeouts. 

2 – Ring my Bell 

Some fans and journalists have been vocal about their disappointment with slugger Josh Bell, but today will not be that day.  Bell was great going three for four including a 426-foot bomb to deep center field. 

3 – Andres Gimenez early exit 

Andres Gimenez also hit a home run today, a 2-run shot, but also had to leave the game with left leg tightness.  They are saying it’s just a precautionary move for now. His replacement Tyler Freeman had a good day going 2 for 2 including an RBI double in the 6th. 

Game Summary

In a commanding performance on Sunday, Shane Bieber delivered his most dominant start of the season, striking out nine batters over seven innings as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Houston Astros 5-0. Bieber, with a season record of 5-3, allowed only three hits and two walks, displaying his prowess from the very beginning. Prior to this game, he had accumulated a total of eight strikeouts in his previous three starts, but he matched his season-high, previously set against Detroit on May 9.

The Guardians’ Trevor Stephan and closer Emmanuel Clase each pitched one inning, completing the stellar four-hit performance. Meanwhile, Andrés Giménez contributed to the team’s victory with a two-run homer in the second inning off Brandon Bielak (3-3). Josh Bell added a solo shot in the fourth, solidifying the Guardians’ dominance. This victory marked their first series win against the Astros since 2017, highlighting their recent success, as they have won six of their last eight games and ten of their last sixteen.

Bieber faced little difficulty against a Houston lineup that was missing All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (rest) and MLB RBIs leader Yordan Alvarez (injured). The 28-year-old pitcher, who has been the subject of trade rumors, held the Astros hitless until the fourth inning when Kyle Tucker managed a two-out single into right field. Despite his slightly diminished velocity in 2023, Bieber avoided major mistakes and navigated through potential trouble.

Houston only managed to advance one runner to second base against Bieber, and even then, Yainer Diaz’s leadoff double in the fifth inning was wasted as the Cleveland ace struck out two batters and induced a force play. Giménez, seeking to provide more power for the Guardians, hit his first home run in almost a month during the second inning, crushing a 1-0 pitch from Bielak over the right-field wall. This performance was crucial for Giménez, who has hit only four homers this season after hitting 17 in 2022. Bell extended the Guardians’ lead to 3-0 in the fourth with his fifth home run, a 426-foot blast into the center-field bullpens.

Trainers Room

Andres Giménez was taken out in the sixth inning as a precaution with left leg tightness. … RHP Cal Quantrill seemed to throw without any issues in the outfield before the game as Cleveland’s training and medical staff observed. Quantrill has been out since June 2 with shoulder inflammation.

Up Next

Tuesday 6/13 9:40 PM EST – Game 1 of 3 at Padres.