Game 1 Replay: Cleveland Guardians use homer, dominant pitching to defeat Tampa Bay Rays
The playoffs have arrived.
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Despite being the youngest team in baseball and facing a Tampa Bay Rays team that is in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, the Guardians opened the AL Wild Card Series riding their recent momentum and won their postseason opener.
Here's how the game unfolded Friday:
Guardians beat the Rays 2-1
Top 9th: Emmanuel Clase recorded the final four outs and needed only 11 pitches to do so. The Guardians can be more aggressive with Clase in the postseason. And with his ability to work so efficiently, he can work four- or five-out saves.
Shane Bieber strong through seven-plus
Top 7th: Shane Bieber has been masterful today outside of one fastball to Jose Siri, tossing seven scoreless innings on 88 pitches. James Karinchak is warming in the bullpen. Guardians have a decision to make regarding the eighth inning.
Jose Ramirez gives Guardians 2-1 lead with two-run home run
Bottom 6th: Jose Ramirez had an emphatic answer in the bottom half of the inning, belting a two-run home run to right-center field, not far from where Siri's home run landed.
The Rays then challenged whether Amed Rosario, who had just singled, touched second base. Teams get two challenges in the playoffs, so the Rays are down to one after losing it following the review. While the play was reviewed, a "Jose! Jose! Jose!" chant led to a Ramirez curtain call.
Unmistakably goated. 🐐#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/J5MxVYwPk3
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 7, 2022
Jose Siri hits solo home run off Shane Bieber
Top 6th: The Rays strike first. Jose Siri, as he did Sept. 27 when the Rays were in Cleveland, has homered off Shane Bieber for a solo shot. The Rays are up 1-0.
Of course the two playoff teams not known for hitting home runs open the scoring in the series with a home run. Because ... baseball.
Shane Bieber no-hit bid broken up in fifth
Top 5th: Literally the next batter after I posted that last line, Bieber gave up a hit.
Owen Miller grounds into inning-ending double play
Bottom 4th: The Guardians have something cooking — for a second. After a couple singles, Owen Miller grounded into an inning-ending double play. Bieber still hasn't allowed a hit.
Shane Bieber and Shane McLanahan have makings of a duel
Bottom 2nd: It's of Duel of the Shanes so far. Bieber and McLanahan both look sharp. Bieber with just a walk allowed. McClanahan just a single. Both have thrown fewer than 25 pitches through two innings.
Shane Bieber starts playoffs off on right foot
Top 1st: Pitching for the first time with the full playoff atmosphere (meaning fans in the stands), Shane Bieber delivers a strong first inning, retiring the side and striking out two on 12 pitches.
American League Wild Card Series between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays schedule
Game 1: Guardians 2, Rays 1
Game 2: 12:07 p.m. Saturday on ESPN
Pitchers: Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 1.35) vs. Triston McKenzie (11-11, 2.96)
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Game 3 (if necessary): 4:07 p.m. Sunday
Pitchers: TBD vs. Cal Quantrill (15-5, 3.38)
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Replay: Guardians vs. Rays in Game 1 of AL Wild Card Series
