CLEVELAND — The Guardians battle the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field Friday night as Cleveland tries to draw closer to clinching a playoff berth.
As things stand, the Guardians could clinch a playoff berth and potentially the division during this eight-game homestand, which runs through Thursday. After this four-game series against the Rays, the Guardians welcome the Minnesota Twins for four games next week.
Check back here for live score updates, analysis and highlights from Friday's game.
The Guardians have dropped both games to begin this four-game series against the Rays.
The Guardians are down 3-1 and will have Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas due up in the ninth.
Like Jose Siri earlier, David Fry just missed a home run by maybe an inch. With a runner on second, Fry drilled a ball that hit just under the top of the yellow line in left field. It went for an RBI double, and the Rays now lead 3-1 in the eighth inning.
The Guardians have made next to zero noise tonight against Rays starter Zack Littell, who is through five scoreless innings. He's allowed just two hits compared to five strikeouts thus far.
Christopher Morel left Friday night's game with right Achilles discomfort, according to a press box announcement.
The Rays are getting to Bibee via the home run ball tonight. Jonathan Aranda extended the Rays' lead to 3-0 with a solo home run to right field in the fourth inning.
Bibee was aided by Jhonkensy Noel, who later in the inning made a terrific running catch in right field to save a run.
The Rays have a 2-0 lead, but Tanner Bibee did well to limit the damage in that inning to two runs.
After Driscoll's home run, Taylor Walls and Morel both hit singles to put runners on the corners with nobody out, and potentially a much bigger inning on the way. But Bibee recovered nicely by striking out the side to stand both runners and hold Tampa's lead at 2-0.
Jose Siri hit a ball that was literally an inch or so away from being a home run, but he instead had to settle for a triple. Logan Driscoll, batting next, left no doubt by drilling a two-run home run well over the right field wall.
The Rays are up 2-0 in the third.
Jhonkensy Noel hit a ball to shallow left field that Christopher Morel couldn't quite to, and the ball trickled past him. Morel didn't exactly sprint to retrieve it, and Noel, who was hustling, was able to slide into third with his first career triple. It also snapped an 0-for-19 streak for Noel.
But the Guardians couldn't capitalize, as Bo Naylor hit a flyout to end the inning, and it remains scoreless in Cleveland.
Well that was quick. The Rays were super-aggressive in the first inning, and Tanner Bibee needed only five pitches to record three outs.
It's 0-0 heading to the bottom of the first.
Below is some pregame information.
All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan has been scratched from the lineup for precautionary reasons due to body fatigue, according to the team. Daniel Schneemann will start in his place.
Guardians magic number, standings
The Guardians entered Friday with a magic number to clinch a playoff spot at seven and a magic number to win the division at 12.
The magic number will lower every time the Guardians win or every time the second-place team in those scenarios loses.
Lane Thomas heating up with Guardians
With his dad's help as a former race car driver, Lane Thomas is finding his way with the Guardians .
Sam Hentges to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery
Sam Hentges' 2024 season is finished, and his entire 2025 season is also in jeopardy .
Jose Ramirez has 30/30 season in 2024
Jose Ramirez became the first Cleveland hitter in franchise history with multiple 30/30 seasons.
MGK tossed the ceremonial first pitch, but he did so in an interesting manner that was anything but traditional .
Jhonkensy Noel's renewed approach on putting the ball in play has led to breakout 2024 season
Jhonkensy knows he has the power. It took a new focus on contact and mobility to lead to his great rookie season thus far.
Guardians name CC Sabathia to team Hall-of-Fame
CC Sabathia is now in the Guardians' Hall-of-Fame, and he offered a two-part message to Cleveland fans .
Guardians No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana meets Jose Ramirez, wants to grow the game in Australia
It all finally sank in for Travis Bazzana , the top overall draft pick in the draft, when he stepped onto the field at Progressive Field and met Jose Ramirez and others.
Major League Baseball released the 2025 schedules .
2024 National Sports Card Convention comes to Cleveland
The National Sports Card Convention was in Cleveland recently. We broke down how we'd spend $100 , ranked the most mind-blowing items we could find and listed the top collectibles for under $50 .
Today's game will be televised on Bally Sports. It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WMMS (100.7-FM).
The Guardians begin an eight-game homestand Thursday at Progressive Field that will feature four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays and then the Minnesota Twins.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays recap; Guards drop second game against Rays
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