The Cleveland Guardians' bid for a perfect game unraveled Sunday, leading to a benches-clearing incident with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field. Pitcher Gavin Williams was two outs away from a perfect game in the top of the sixth inning when Diamondbacks center fielder Tim Tawa attempted a bunt on a 0-1 pitch.
While Tawa’s bunt successfully broke up the perfect game, ending Williams' no-hit bid with a single to right field, it also drew the ire of the Guardians. Catcher Patrick Bailey reportedly exchanged words with Tawa after the play.
Moments later, rain began to fall heavily, prompting umpires to call a rain delay. As the grounds crew unfurled the tarp, players from both dugouts converged near home plate, and an argument escalated. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was seen moving toward the Diamondbacks' side, sparking the confrontation. Although players exchanged heated words, the incident did not turn physical.
This situation echoes a previous game on July 9, when Williams was also working with a perfect game in progress against the Minnesota Twins. During that outing, Royce Lewis also showed bunt before eventually singling, ending the perfect game bid.
After the rain delay concluded and tensions cooled, the Guardians secured a 5-0 victory. Williams finished his outing with 5.2 innings pitched, recording 10 strikeouts, one hit, and one walk. The Diamondbacks managed only one hit after Tawa's single. Rookie Chase DeLauter contributed three RBIs on two hits for Cleveland, while Bailey hit a home run.
Williams did not return to the game following the delay.