Tanner Bibee Shines as Guardians Blank White Sox in Complete-Game Shutout
Tanner Bibee pitched a masterful complete-game shutout, striking out 10, as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-0 at Progressive Field on Friday. This marked Cleveland’s first complete-game shutout in six years.
Guardians Keep Wild Card Hopes Alive
The victory helped the Guardians stay in the hunt for an American League wild card spot, trimming their deficit to three games. David Fry and Austin Hedges contributed with RBIs against White Sox starter Martín Pérez. Nolan Jones added another run with a pinch-hit single, and Angel Martínez sealed the deal with a home run in the eighth.
Bibee's Dominant Performance
Despite allowing back-to-back singles in the third inning, Bibee escaped unscathed and dominated the White Sox lineup, which had previously been on a hot streak. He retired 18 of the last 20 batters he faced, showcasing his impressive command on the mound. His ninth-inning strikeout of Kyle Teel marked his fourth career double-digit strikeout game.
Key Plays and Offensive Contributions
Jones punctuated the win with a diving catch in right field. Defensively, Brayan Rocchio also made key plays at second base to support Bibee. Fry opened the scoring with a solo home run, while Hedges drove in a run with a broken-bat single. Martínez's late-inning home run provided crucial insurance.
Game Details and Starting Lineups
Here were the starting lineups for the Guardians and White Sox for the game on September 12, 2025:
| Guardians | White Sox |
|---|---|
| LF Steven Kwan | RF Mike Tauchman |
| CF Angel Martínez | C Kyle Teel |
| 3B José Ramírez | 1B Lenyn Sosa |
| DH David Fry | SS Colson Montgomery |
| 1B Kyle Manzardo | 3B Miguel Vargas |
| SS Gabriel Arias | DH Andrew Benintendi |
| RF Jhonkensy Noel | CF Brooks Baldwin |
| 2B Brayan Rocchio | 2B Chase Meidroth |
| C Austin Hedges | LF Will Robertson |
Series Preview and Statistical Analysis
The Guardians entered the series needing to dominate the White Sox to maintain their playoff aspirations. The Guardians' season statistics show they are 75-71 with a -38 run differential, and rank highly in baserunning and bullpen FIP. The White Sox, with a record of 57-90, struggle in various key statistical categories including defense and starting pitcher FIP.
Looking Ahead
The series continues Saturday at 6:10 p.m. EDT with Parker Messick starting for Cleveland against Davis Martin for the White Sox. Fans can catch the game on CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF 1350 AM (Spanish), and the Guardians Radio Network.
