Gavin Williams and a handful of relievers combined on a four-hit shutout as the streaking Cleveland Guardians blanked the host Detroit Tigers, 4-0, on Wednesday night.
Williams (11-5) struck out nine in five innings. He gave up three hits and walked two while throwing 100 pitches.
The Guardians (80-71) have pulled within 4 1/2 games of the first-place Tigers (85-67) in the American League Central Division. Cleveland has won 11 of its last 12 games, with the series finale set for Thursday afternoon.
Bo Naylor drove in two runs for the Guardians and George Valera knocked in the first run.
Detroit starter Jack Flaherty (8-14) allowed one run and three hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out four.
Detroit threatened in the first. Parker Meadows led off with a double and Kerry Carpenter drew a one-out walk. Williams then struck out Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene.
Cleveland took the lead in the third. C.J. Kayfus and Steven Kwan walked before Valera smacked a two-out single to bring in Kayfus.
Kyle Manzardo blooped a one-out double to lead off the fourth but Flaherty retired the next three batters. Cleveland had another threat in the next inning. Kayfus led off with a single and Brayan Rocchio drew a walk. After a sacrifice bunt, Flaherty struck out Valera. Jose Ramirez walked to load the bases before Flaherty struck out Manzardo to end the threat.
The Guardians extended their lead in the sixth. Gabriel Arias had a one-out double and stole third. After a strikeout, pinch hitter Angel Martinez singled to right to bring in Arias.
Cleveland left two runners stranded in the seventh before the Tigers followed with two runners on with one out in the bottom of the inning. Pinch hitter Andy Ibanez then popped out and Gleyber Torres grounded out.
The Guardians loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. After a fielder’s choice, Naylor slapped a two-out single to right off Jose Urquidy to bring home two runs for a 4-0 lead.
