Gavin Williams logs season high in work; Guardians need pinch-hit HR for win

Despite needing to wait until the top of the ninth to find their only run of the game, the Cleveland Guardians beat the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 in an inter-league battle of contenders. 

To counteract Cleveland's lack of offense, they stranded five runners on base, starter Gavin Williams had to put in work in order to secure the win. Williams pitched into the eighth inning for the first time in any game this season. 

Gavin Williams was on top of his game on the mound 

He pitched a shutout, allowing only four hits and striking out 11 batters with no walks. Williams had only reached the seventh inning in three of his prior starts and logged exactly six innings in each of his last three outings. 

Now with 11 starts in the books, Williams owns a 7-3 record with a 3.25 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 84 strikeouts. 

But the Guardians almost squandered Williams' best start in his strong season so far, waiting until the top of the ninth to finally put a run on the board.