Guardians-D Diamondbacks benches clear after rain delay

A benches-clearing confrontation during a rain delay marred the Cleveland Guardians' 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field on Sunday, August 2, fueled by a contentious play that disrupted a potential perfect game. The incident occurred after Arizona center fielder Tim Tawa broke up Cleveland starter Gavin Williams’ perfect game bid in the top of the sixth inning.

Williams had been dominant, retiring the first 15 batters he faced, with 10 strikeouts, when Tawa stepped to the plate. Tawa attempted a bunt on the second pitch of the at-bat but fouled it off. The attempt, considered a violation of baseball's unwritten rules against bunting to end a perfect game, drew immediate displeasure from Guardians players. Catcher Patrick Bailey and shortstop Brayan Rocchio were seen voicing their objections. Tawa then lined the next pitch for a single to right field, ending both the perfect game and no-hit bid.

The tension escalated moments later when heavy rain began to fall with two outs in the inning. As the grounds crew rushed to cover the field with a tarp, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt and third-base coach Rouglas Odor charged from the dugout and began...