Cleveland spent most of Tuesday night making Camden Yards look easy, then spent a few nervous innings finding out just how quickly a big lead can shrink. In the end, the Guardians had enough offense banked to survive a shaky middle stretch from Tanner Bibee and hold off the Orioles for a 9-5 win, a result that mattered just as much for the standings as it did for the final score. Cleveland moved to 74-72 on the season, staying in control of the third American League wild card spot, and kept the pressure on the White Sox in the Central race.
“Took it to the O’s,” Cleveland Guardians wrote.
Took it to the O’s 🐦⬛#GuardsBall | #GuardiWins pic.twitter.com/OmfHaGUfWz
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) September 9, 2026
Travis Bazzana had a big night. He worked a nine pitch at bat against Baltimore starter Brandon Young and turned it into a three run home run, his eleventh of the season, that put Cleveland ahead 5-0 before the game was even two innings old. Bazzana was not alone in doing damage. Angel Martinez went 2-5 with a triple, Brayan Rocchio drove in two runs on a 2-4 night, and Petey Halpin chipped in an RBI single before stealing his tenth base of the year, becoming the sixth Guardians player to reach double figures in steals this season.
Bibee looked like a completely different pitcher for the first three innings than he did for the next two. He retired the first nine Orioles hitters he faced, cruising through the lineup on efficient pitch counts. Baltimore finally broke through in the fourth, then in the fifth when Pete Alonso, who has hit Bibee hard throughout his career, drove a two-run homer that cut Cleveland’s lead to six to five and ended Bibee’s outing.
From there, the Guardians bullpen refused to give Baltimore another opening, with Tim Herrin, Craig Yoho, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith combining to close it out without allowing another run.
The win carries extra weight depending on how the rest of the league finishes out its night, with both Chicago and Toronto in action in games that could tighten the race in Cleveland’s favor before the Guardians even take the field again.
Cleveland looks to close out the series Wednesday. Left hander Foster Griffin gets the ball for the Guardians against right-hander Shane Baz.
NEXT: ESPN Prediction Doesn't Favor The Guardians' Division Chances
