Tanner Bibee has Guardians’ 1st complete game shutout in 6 years

CLEVELAND — Tanner Bibee gave the Guardians something Friday that they hadn’t experienced in six years: a complete-game shutout.

Bibee struck out 10 and walked none while tossing a two-hitter in the Guardians’ 4-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox. It helped Cleveland keep pace in the American League wild-card race.

Bibee (10-11) was more impressed with not allowing a free pass than fanning double digits.

“No walks for sure,” said Bibee, who went the distance for the second time this season. “I hate walking people, and it’s a beautiful thing when they both happen at the same time.”

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Bibee might be peaking at the ideal time for a Cleveland club chasing Seattle for the final AL wild card. He entered the season as Cleveland’s ace but endured stretches of inconsistency, leading to a 4.69 ERA entering his 29th start.

He was plenty effective Friday, baffling a White Sox lineup that entered the day having won nine of its previous 11 games. His changeup worked early, setting the stage for his other pitches late.

“Finally,” he quipped. “Just the work that I’m putting each week between starts. … Obviously, it’s been an up-and-down year, but obviously it worked out today.”

He notched Cleveland’s first complete-game shutout since Sept. 10, 2019, when Zach Plesac accomplished the feat against the Los Angeles Angels.

Bibee allowed back-to-back singles in the third inning before escaping with an inning-ending double play. He retired 18 of the last 20 batters he faced, none bigger than Nolan Jones’ diving catch on Lenyn Sosa’s liner to right field for the final out.

Cleveland (76-71) has won seven of eight, including Bibee’s past two starts.