CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 11: Josh Bell #55 and Andrés Giménez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate scoring on a two-run home run hit by Giménez off Brandon Bielak of the Houston Astros during the second inning at Progressive Field on June 11, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.Photo: Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Shane Bieber pitched masterfully while Josh Bell and Andres Gimenez led the offense in today's 5-0 victory over the Houston Astros.
Bieber earned his fifth win by matching a season-high with nine strikeouts, pitching his third shutout, and notching his 10th quality start in his seven-inning outing. He needed to escape just one jam against the Astros, coming in the fifth inning - the only time that the Astros got a runner to third base. Yainer Diaz hit a leadoff double, then reached third with one out on Grae Kessinger's single. However, Shane Bieber struck out the next batter and induced a ground out to end the Astros' threat and best chance to score.
Meanwhile, the Guardians' offense jumped the Astros behind a pair of home runs from the middle of the lineup. First, after Josh Bell singled in the second inning, Andres Gimenez homered to right-center field, putting the Guardians on the board, 2-0. Then, Josh Bell launched a solo home run in the fourth inning, extending the lead to 3-0, and collecting the second of three hits of the afternoon.
The Guardians added insurance runs across the next two innings, starting in the fifth: Myles Straw got aboard with a leadoff single, then reached third base on Steven Kwan's one-out double. Amed Rosario grounded out to first base, but this allowed Straw to score. Then in the sixth, Josh Bell and pinch-hitter Tyler Freeman hit back-to-back doubles, scoring Bell to set the final tally of 5-0, shortly before chasing Astros' starting pitcher Brandon Bielak.
In total, the Guardians outhit the Astros 11-4, and collected 20 total bases to the Astros' five. Although Jose Altuve did not play today for the Astros, Jose Ramirez was held out for the Guardians, and Andres Gimenez exited the game with a leg injury.
Nevertheless, this is the Guardians' fourth series win of their last five, including a two-two split with the Minnesota Twins. The Guardians (31-34) are off tomorrow, but will travel to the west coast and take on the San Diego Padres (31-33) on Tuesday night, first pitch at 9:40 PM. Last season the Guardians won three of four games against the Padres, splitting in Cleveland, but sweeping in San Diego.