The Cleveland Guardians needed one of their veterans to step up, and step up, he did.
Despite his season-long inconsistency and struggles, Stephen Vogt still chose to put the ball in Tanner Bibee’s hand for a pivotal Game 2, and he delivered.
The Guardians’ hurler continued his dominant run against the Detroit Tigers, a team he beat three times in the regular season.
However, it wasn’t all easy or smooth.
His pitch count got up early, and it seemed like he could’ve been in for a short start.
That’s why Vogt wanted to give him his flowers and praised him for holding his ground:
“Tanner was phenomenal,” Vogt said. “Obviously, we give him the extra base in the first, but he gets the three punch-outs. Pitch count got up. Pitch count doesn’t matter. As many outs as you can get, that’s doing your job. Phenomenal by him, unbelievable job by our bullpen, no matter who it was.”
Bibee was only there for 4.2 innings, but he gave the team a valuable performance.
He gave up just one earned run in five hits, striking out six and walking three.
From there, the offense took over.
Also, as expected, the Guardians’ bullpen was up to the task and took care of business like they’ve done all year long.
To say that this has been a disappointing and frustrating season for Bibee would be a huge understatement.
Bibee was supposed to be the team’s ace while Shane Bieber worked his way back to the mound, but that wasn’t always the case.
He had an up-and-down first half of the campaign, but fortunately, he was better down the stretch.
Now, the Guardians will roll with Slade Cecconi in a win-or-go-home Game 3, and hopefully, Bibee will have another chance to take the mound in the playoffs.
NEXT: Guardians Named Favorites To Sign Interesting Shortstop Prospect
