Game Recap 9/16/23 | Guardians Beat the Rangers 2-1

Post-Game Live Recap

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3 Things About Guardians Victory Over the Texas Rangers

1 – 8th inning magic! 

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Guardians were down 1-0 with two and two outs when Ramon Laureano hit a bloop RBI single to tie it 1-1.  The next batter, Steven Kwan, singled for the game-winning RBI.

2 – Bibee Injury 

Tanner Bibee had to leave early after pitching 5 1/3 innings with a right hip tightness.  

3 – Bullpen Lockdown 

Cleveland’s bullpen saved the day after Bibee left with an injury going 3 2/3 innings giving up zero runs and only one hit.

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Game Summary

In the eighth inning, following Tyler Freeman’s game-tying single, Steven Kwan stepped up and drove in Ramón Laureano, securing a 2-1 triumph for the Cleveland Guardians over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

Despite being in the second AL wild-card position, the Rangers endured their second consecutive loss in the series. They began the day half a game behind the first-place Houston and one game ahead of third-place Seattle in the AL West.

The sequence leading to the winning run saw Laureano doubling and Bo Naylor drawing a walk against Will Smith (2-6), followed by consecutive singles from Freeman and Kwan against José Leclerc. Cleveland had struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the first seven innings, leaving 10 runners stranded, with seven of them in the first three innings against Dane Dunning.

Reynaldo López (3-7) delivered a flawless eighth inning for the Guardians, and Emmanuel Clase closed the game in the ninth, earning his MLB-leading 41st save.

Guardians’ starter Tanner Bibee exited the game in the sixth inning due to tightness in his right hip, just one inning after being hit on the right foot by a ball off Leody Taveras’ bat. The rookie right-hander had pitched 5 1/3 innings, striking out four and allowing only one run.

Texas managed to take a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Marcus Semien doubled, bringing Evan Carter home for his 89th RBI of the season. Carter was the lone Rangers player to reach beyond second base.

Dane Dunning pitched five scoreless innings for Texas despite allowing 10 baserunners. The right-hander conceded six hits, three walks, and hit a batter while striking out five.

Cleveland had previously dominated with a 12-3 victory on Friday, putting an end to Texas’ six-game winning streak.

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Trainers Room

Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation) is scheduled to throw 65 pitches Sunday in a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner worked 3 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run for Double-A Akron on Tuesday.

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Up Next

Gavin Williams (2-5, 3.43 ERA), who has won once in 11 starts since July 15, pitches the finale of the three-game series. The Rangers have not announced a starter.

Sunday 9/17 1:40 PM EST – Series Finale vs. Texas Rangers