Bibee dominates as Guardians blank Cubs |
CHICAGO - Sometimes you have to give credit when credit is due, and the Cleveland Guardians (40-42) deserve a ton of credit on Saturday. After nearly a three-hour rain delay, their game against the Chicago Cubs (38-43) at Wrigley Field finally took place as the Cubs looked to pick up a series win.
What better way to do that than by turning to one of their two aces Marcus Stroman, as he took on the 24-year-old rookie Tanner Bibee. Coming off his shortest outing of the season, where Stroman had to leave with a blister, this was an important start for him as he was eager to prove everything was ok. When you look at his final line, you would think it was another rough outing, but that is far from the truth, as Stroman had great stuff. Sure, he allowed five earned runs in 5 2/3, but he only allowed five hits while striking out seven. His problem was finishing off innings, as most of the Guardian's damage came with two outs in their 6-0 win. Along with that, you had a very strong showing from Bibbe on the mound, which also lasted 5 2/3. Unlike Stroman, he finished off innings and struck out a career-high nine batters to pick up an impressive win. Through the first two innings, both starters were dialed in as they matched each other pitch for pitch and combined for eight strikeouts. Had it not been for the Cody Bellinger double in the second for one of his three hits, the Cubs wouldn't have had a base runner in the early innings as the game remained tied 0-0. Looking to get through three shutout innings, Stroman retired the first two hitters he faced before walking Bo Naylor to extend the inning. That was followed by a Steven Kwan double to put a pair of runners in scoring position, only to have Amed Rosario come through with an RBI single to put the Guardians in front 2-0. Little did they know that would be all the offense they would need as the Cubs would struggle to find answers all game long. You could argue the best scoring chance for the Cubs came in the fourth, and it came without a hit as Bibee walked Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki to start the inning, only to wiggle out of trouble to maintain the lead. Still holding that lead in the sixth, the Guardians offense went back to work and put up a crooked number to put the game away. It all started with one-out singles from Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor, but Stroman was on the verge of getting out of it without allowing any more damage. Unfortunately for him, more two-out magic from the Guardians did him in as Andres Gimenez came through with an RBI knock to make things 3-0 and chased Stroman from the game. Responsible for the two runners on base, Julian Merryweather entered the game and immediately allowed a Will Brennan single to make things 4-0 before another Myles Straw single pushed the lead to 5-0. A rare error from Bellinger on that Straw single allowed for an additional run to score as the Guardians got through the sixth inning by scoring four times and pushing the Cubs deficit to 6-0. For the Cubs to get back on track consistently on offense, Happ and Suzuki need to step up, as they are a combined 1-38 since the first game of the London series. That lone hit came in the sixth when Happ picked up an infield single to reach base. Bellinger added a second single to put the Cubs in a position to make some noise, but per usual couldn't come through with the hit they needed and stranded two more runners. Already down by six, David Ross elected to go with Javier Assad out of the pen in an effort to save some arms. Despite walking Kwan to begin the seventh and then allowing a Ramirez single, Assad was outstanding as he struck out the side in the seventh before tossing three scoreless innings of work. He also struck out six in his outing, as this was as good as he has looked all season. With three outs standing between them and a shutout, the Cubs hoped to do something off right-hander Eli Morgan. Bellinger got things off to a good start picking up a one-out single for his third hit, but would be erased on a Dansby Swanson fielder's choice. Morgan finished things off from there by striking out Trey Mancini to end the game and put the Cubs away for the 6-0 win. Any time you have five hits, it is hard to win a game, but when three hits come from one player (Bellinger), it is even harder. Tucker Barnhardt and Happ added the other two hits, but the Cubs struck out 13 times compared to just two walks in the loss. Chicago will look to take the series Sunday afternoon when Adam Civale faces off against Jameson Taillon at 4:05 CDT.
