Bieber was the better of the Shanes on Friday — and that was just enough.
Shane Bieber outdueled the Rays’ Shane McClanahan in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series in Cleveland, leading the Guardians to a 2-1 win in the opener of the best-of-three series on Friday afternoon.
The winner of the series will play the Yankees starting Tuesday in the ALDS.
McClanahan went seven strong innings, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out five. Those two runs came on a José Ramírez bottom of the 6th inning home run to put the Guardians ahead 2-1.
McClanahan’s performance was great, but it was overshadowed by the pitcher on the other side. Bieber gave a masterclass pitching performance, with the fifth-year starter throwing 7 2/3 innings of shutdown ball, allowing three hits and one run while striking out eight.
Bieber had a no-hitter through four innings before Rays designated hitter Harold Ramirez broke it up with a leadoff single in the fifth. Bieber’s only blemish came in the top of the 6th inning on a José Siri solo home run to give the Rays a 1-0 lead.
Ramírez answered in the bottom half with a two-run blast that would give Cleveland the lead for good.
Bieber was pulled after allowing a two-out single to Rays pinch hitter Isaac Paredes. Guardians manager Francona called for Emmanuel Clase to get the last four outs of the game and the closer did not allow a baserunner.
Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, had a 2.88 ERA with 198 strikeouts over 200 innings pitched this season. McClanahan had a 2.54 ERA and 194 strikeouts over 166 1/3 pitched in his second year as a starter.
Game 2 will be Saturday at noon on ESPN2. The Rays need to win to keep their season alive with Cleveland eyeing an ALDS matchup with the Yankees.
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