The Cleveland Guardians' offense once again was not enough in their loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
CLEVELAND - Tanner Bibee couldn't have pitched a better game on Friday evening.
In many ways, he was flawless, doing his part and more to give the Cleveland Guardians a chance to win their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Even though the Guardians had the lead when Bibee exited the game in the eighth inning, he was credited with the loss and fell to 4-11 on the season, as Arizona won 4-1.
Bibee had only allowed four base runners before the eighth inning, but allowed two of the first three hitters to reach in the top of the frame.
That's when manager Stephen Vogt turned to his bullpen and called upon Erik Sabrowski to get out of the one-out, runners at first and second jam.
The left-handed reliever didn't record an out, gave up two runs (one earned), giving the Diamondbacks the lead and essentially ending the game there.
Even though it wasn't Bibee's pitches that gave up the runs, he said the inning was his fault for letting the runners reach base.
"I put those guys in that position, and that inning's on me," the pitcher said postgame.
Jul 31, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) looks on during a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn ImagesWhile the eighth inning was problematic, the night's storyline remained Cleveland's lack of offense as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.
After being shut out in half of their games during their last road trip, the Guardians only scored a single run in their series opener against the Diamondbacks.
That lone run came on an RBI single from Rhys Hoskins that scored Jose Ramirez in the top of the first inning. They only had two more hits the rest of the night.
Diamondbacks rookie pitcher Mitch Pratt, who started for Arizona, had a 6.32 ERA in four outings entering from, but dropped that to 5.23 after this season, throwing 5.0 innings of three-hit baseball, including three strikeouts.
As the Guardians' lineup continues to falter, the main question over the next few days will be how Cleveland plans to improve its offense if it wants to play postseason baseball in 2026.
The front office needs to make some serious moves between now and Monday at 6:00 PM EST. Would a potential Taylor Wade trade be enough to get Cleveland's lineup over the edge?
Cleveland's loss to Arizona on Friday suggests that the team needs to do much more.
Still, Bibee believes the team, as is, is talented enough to compete in October.
"Obviously we know we are really good baseball team," Bibee said when asked about the deadline.
"I know that we're a playoff baseball team, and whether that means to go for it, stay pat, that's not my job, but I know we're a playoff baseball team, and everybody believes it, too."
