The Cleveland Guardians hosted the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night at Progressive Field, hoping to extend their three-game winning streak after sweeping the Chicago White Sox.
They quickly found out that the Rays, even if they are not a playoff-caliber team this year, are not the White Sox.
Tampa relied on excellent starting and relief pitching and beat the Guardians 5-2.
Not the start we wanted.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/o9KgsQkNLV
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) September 13, 2024
The Guards are now 4.0 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals in the quest for the AL Central.
Gavin Williams entered the game after having allowed five runs in his last start, getting just two outs.
While he was much better than that on Thursday, he is still far from where the team needs him to be.
The talented righty conceded three runs in 5.1 frames, but allowed too much traffic on the basepaths: seven hits and two walks, against five strikeouts.
He ended up getting the loss and his ERA is now a disappointing 5.23.
If the Guardians are going deep in the postseason, they need a much sharper Williams.
He did, at least, leave his team in a position to compete.
Ultimately, the offense could only produce two runs and five hits against Ryan Pepiot and the Rays’ relief corps.
Two runs won’t win you many games.
Cole Sulser notched the win with a brilliant relief: three innings, no hits or runs, a walk and four punchouts.
The two teams will continue their four-game series on Friday, with Tanner Bibee taking the hill for the home club and Zack Littell representing Tampa on the mound.
NEXT: Guardians Newest Call-Up Has Enormous Potential
