CLEVELAND — Gavin Williams gave Cleveland exactly what it needed Sunday afternoon—and offered a possible preview of what he could provide if the Guardians reach October.
Williams allowed three hits and one walk while striking out nine over seven scoreless innings, leading Cleveland to a 1-0 victory over the Athletics at Progressive Field. The Guardians completed a three-game sweep, finished their six-game homestand with five victories and protected their lead in the American League Central.
The victory improved Cleveland to 81-75 and moved it 1½ games ahead of the Chicago White Sox, pending the completion of Chicago’s rain-delayed game against Detroit. Because the White Sox hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, the Guardians must finish with a better record to claim their third consecutive division championship.
The only significant trouble Williams encountered came in the second inning, when Zack Gelof and Donovan Walton opened the frame with consecutive singles. Tommy White advanced both runners with a groundout, placing two Athletics in scoring position with one out.
Williams responded by striking out Alika Williams and retiring Jonah Heim on a ground ball to third, escaping the inning without allowing a run. He surrendered only one additional hit over his final five innings and finished his outing with 89 pitches, including 63 strikes.
The nine strikeouts raised Williams’ season total to 244, moving him back into the Major League lead ahead of Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski. Williams improved to 14-8 and lowered his ERA to 3.63.
Cleveland scored the game’s only run in the fourth inning. José Ramírez opened the frame with a double to right field and advanced to third when Chase DeLauter flied out to left. Jo Adell then reached on an infield single to pitcher Jack Perkins, allowing Ramírez to score.
The Guardians had opportunities to provide Williams with more support but finished 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Steven Kwan went 3-for-4, while Ramírez finished 2-for-4 and scored the decisive run. Cleveland collected seven hits but stranded runners at the corners in the eighth inning.
The Athletics threatened again after Williams departed. Hunter Gaddis allowed consecutive one-out hits to Jeff McNeil and Jonah Heim in the eighth, placing runners at second and third. Gaddis struck out Carlos Cortes before Cleveland turned to Cade Smith, who struck out Henry Bolte to preserve the lead.
Smith returned for the ninth and worked around Gelof’s two-out single, striking out Walton to complete 1? scoreless innings and earn his 39th save.
Cleveland’s offense provided only one run, but Williams and the bullpen made it hold up. With six games remaining, every victory is huge—and the Guardians took care of everything they could control during their final regular-season weekend at Progressive Field.
What’s Next:
Cleveland will have Monday off before beginning its final road trip of the regular season Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
