Guardians 7, Tigers 0: Cade Closed

Bibee Dominates and Angel takes flight

Tanner Bibee, Angel Martinez and Cade Smith made sure the Guardians’ four-game series against AL Central-leading Detroit started out right leading the club to a 7-0 shutout win against the Tigers.

The big story of this game was Tanner Bibee looking like a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher again.

He responded to perhaps his most disappointing outing of the season last time around with seven shutout innings, allowing only three hits, one walk, and striking out eight. It was incredible and it’ll take some more of this for the Guardians to get where they want to go, and Bibee showed today that he can be trusted to deliver.

Angel Martinez had a solo homer and a two-run double. He’s our Guardian Angel whenever and wherever we need him.

Tim Herrin had some bad batted ball luck and walked a guy to load the bases with nobody out and the Guardians clinging to a 3-0 lead in the eighth. So, Stephen Vogt summoned bullpen demon Cade Smith who struck out the side, including Riley Greene to end it:

I’d wondered if Smith needed “fixed” on Twitter the other day. Not that he was bad, just that his pinpoint command seemed missing. So, hey, he’s back. I particularly enjoyed the 98 mph fastball right down the middle to put Greene away.

I so enjoyed this whole game. Our main guy Jose Ramirez also had a good game going 2 for 5 and Carlos Santana had a two-run double to open the scoring and two walks. Lane Thomas and Kyle Manzardo did not have good games, but that’s ok. Time for them to find it next chance.

It feels so good to get the opening game in this series. Let’s hope the team can build on this and get in the Tigers’ heads a little bit, do some damage. Man, I’m fired up!