Josh Naylor, Ramon Laureano help Guardians outlast Braves 4-2 in 11 innings in meeting of top teams

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Naylor and Ramon Laureano had RBIs in the 11th inning and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 in a game featuring the teams with the two best records in the majors.

Scott Barlow (1-2) escaped a bases loaded, one-out jam in the 10th inning, retiring Chadwick Tromp and Jarred Kelenic, to earn the win. Nick Sandlin pitched a perfect 11th to record his first save of the season.

Naylor was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Steven Kwan was 3-for-5.

Atlanta Braves Second Baseman Ozzie Albies (1) moves away from a close pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Tanner Bibee threw seven shutout innings for Cleveland, allowing just two hits to go along with nine strikeouts and no walks in his first career start against Atlanta. Bibee has thrown five or more innings with three or less runs allowed in 27 of his first 31 career starts, joining Matt Harvey as the only pitchers in MLB history to accomplish the feat.

Dylan Lee (0-1) took the loss for the Braves. Braves righty Charlie Morton threw seven shutout innings, giving up four hits, one walk and striking out seven. The veteran threw 63 strikes on 93 pitches. Morton continued a string of quality starts for the Braves. In the last five games, Atlanta starters have given up just two runs in 36 2/3 innings in the last turn of the rotation.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Charlie Morton (50) works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

The win was the seventh in the last nine games for the Guardians, who own the best record in the American League at 19-8.

Cleveland reliever Hunter Gaddis gave up his first two runs of the season in the eighth inning after the Guardians had taken a 2-0 lead.

Travis d’Arnaud hit a double that bounced on the left field foul line and scored Marcell Ozuna. Jarred Kelenic followed with a bloop single that scored Michael Harris II, but pinch runner Luke Williams was thrown out at the plate by Tyler Freeman.

The Guardians pushed two runs across in the eighth inning without hitting a ball out of the infield. Two infield hits and a bunt loaded the bases for José Ramírez. He grounded to second base and beat out the double play, allowing Bo Naylor to score. The Guardians then executed a double steal, with Ramírez just beating the throw at second base to give the Guardians a 2-0 lead.

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) hits a double against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

The Guardians nearly broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning. With two outs and Ramírez on first, Naylor hit a double down the right field line. Ronald Acuña Jr. fielded it before it reached the wall, threw it to first baseman Matt Olson, who nailed Ramirez at the plate.

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UP NEXT

The three-game series wraps up with Braves RHP Bryce Elder (1-0, 0.00) making his second start of the season against Guardians RHP Ben Lively (0-1, 2.38) on Sunday.

Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) tags out Cleveland Guardians outfielder Estevan Florial (90) in the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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