Guardians Shutout Phillies in Series Opener Classic

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 22: Gavin Williams #32 of the Cleveland Guardians is congratulated in the dugout after completing the fourth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Guardians won 1-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) | Getty Images In what would only be described by your dad or your grand-pappy as “A good old fashion pitchers’ duel”, runs were at a premium in Philadelphia tonight.

Both Gavin Williams and Chistopher Sanchez were lights out all night long. As the game went on, it felt like each pitcher was just trying to outdo the other, inning after inning. There was little drama to speak of.

Bryce Harper would hit a two out double in the 1st, but The Big Rig would strike out the next hitter Alec Bohm. The Guardians would follow in the top of the 2nd inning with a leadoff single by David Fry, but Sanchez would go on to retire the next three hitters in order. Adolis Garcia would reach base on a fielding error by José Ramírez on a softly hit grounder, but Williams would not be phased, as he retired the next 2 hitters on just 2 pitches!

Both pitchers would toss a 1-2-3 3rd inning, and back and forth it went. Neither pitcher would allow more than 1 baserunner at any point in the game. The Phillies were able to get a 1 out single from Brandon Marsh, but after a few attempts to steal second (with Garcia up to bat) that were foiled by foul balls, on a 3-2 pitch The Big Rig would finally get the swing and miss he needed.