​MIAMI (AP) — Tanner Bibee lasted 6 2/3 sturdy innings as Steven Kwan and Patrick Bailey delivered two-run doubles, helping the Cleveland Guardians top the Miami Marlins 4-1 on Saturday. Cleveland built on their lead after winning the opener 3-2 on Friday, clinching the series. The Guardians’ offense was buoyed by Gabriel Arias, who collected three hits, while Kwan’s fourth-inning double put Cleveland ahead 2-0. Arias and Petey Halpin followed with consecutive singles, and Kwan’s grounder down the left-field line allowed both to score. Liam Hicks added an RBI single in the seventh to extend the cushion. Bailey supplied a crucial two-run double in the eighth, sparking the final offense. After Kyle Manzardo was hit by a pitch and Kahlil Watson doubled, Bailey fell behind 0-2 against reliever William Kempner, worked the count full, and then lined a ball that bounced off the left-field wall for a two-base hit.
Bibee (3-9) surrendered one run on four hits, walked four, and struck out three over 6 2/3 innings. Colin Holderman closed out the ninth with a 1-2-3 frame for his first save. Miami’s Eury Pérez (5-7) took the loss despite a seven-inning performance in which he allowed two runs on eight hits, walked two, and struck out six after delivering seven no-hit innings against Oakland in his prior start on July 5. Pérez’s early efficiency gave way to the Guardians’ two-out pressure in the fourth, where a couple of timely hits extended Cleveland’s lead. The Marlins had been riding a six-series win streak at home before this loss, and they had won six straight home series prior to dropping this one.
In other action from the day, the Pirates swept a doubleheader from the Brewers, edging Milwaukee 7-6 in the first game and pulling out a 3-2 win in the nightcap. Esmerlyn Valdez supplied a standout performance for Pittsburgh, launching his third homer of the day in the nightcap and driving in six runs across the two games. Valdez had eight RBIs across the two games and ten homers in his first 27 major league games, a remarkable start to his career. His two-run shot in the fourth inning of the nightcap helped open the scoring, and Brice Turang’s two-run double in the fifth tied the game. Bryan Reynolds delivered the go-ahead run with a single in the sixth off Shane Drohan, who was charged with three runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s White Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics 1-0 on Saturday. Chase Meidroth’s RBI double in the sixth inning provided the deciding margin as Chicago’s bullpen combined for a four-hitter to halt Oakland’s eight-game losing streak. The A’s have dropped 12 of 13 and sit at 41-54, while the White Sox earned their 11th home-series win in their last 12 series. Erick Fedde pitched effectively in relief to help seal the victory.
These games highlighted the ongoing 2024 season’s blend of breakout performances, clutch hitting in late innings, and tight starting-pitching duels across multiple teams.