In a thrilling 11-inning battle between the two teams with the best records in Major League Baseball, the Cleveland Guardians emerged victorious over the Atlanta Braves 4-2.
Josh Naylor and Ramon Laureano delivered RBIs in the 11th inning to seal the win for Cleveland. Scott Barlow escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 10th inning, while Nick Sandlin pitched a perfect 11th to earn his first save of the season.
Tanner Bibee impressed in his first career start against Atlanta, throwing seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts and no walks. Dylan Lee took the loss for the Braves.
Atlanta’s veteran starter Charlie Morton also had a strong outing, pitching seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts. However, the Braves’ bullpen faltered in the late innings.
The Guardians took an early 2-0 lead in the eighth inning without hitting a ball out of the infield. José Ramírez’s groundout scored Bo Naylor, and a double steal gave Cleveland another run.
The Braves rallied in the bottom of the eighth, with Travis d’Arnaud’s double and Jarred Kelenic’s single driving in two runs. However, Luke Williams was thrown out at the plate, preventing Atlanta from tying the game.
In the sixth inning, Josh Naylor nearly broke the scoreless tie with a double, but Ronald Acuña Jr.’s quick throw to first baseman Matt Olson nailed José Ramírez at the plate.
The Guardians’ win extends their record to 19-8, the best in the American League. The Braves, despite the loss, remain atop the National League East with a 17-10 record.
