Diamondbacks' bunt attempt during perfect game bid sparks tensions with Guardians
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 3, 2026, 1:26 AM
Last updated Aug 3, 2026
During a game on August 2, Tim Tawa of the Arizona Diamondbacks attempted a bunt in the sixth inning while Cleveland’s Gavin Williams was on a perfect game bid. Tawa's action led to tensions between the teams, culminating in both benches emptying after a rain delay. Williams had retired the first 15 batters he faced, striking out 10. After the game, both managers discussed the incident, emphasizing the need to deescalate the situation. Warnings were issued to both teams following the delay, and the game continued.
- •Tim Tawa attempted a bunt during the sixth inning.
- •Gavin Williams was on a perfect game bid at the time.
- •Both benches emptied after a rain delay.
- •Williams struck out 10 batters and allowed only one hit.
- •The game resumed after warnings issued to both teams.
- 1:26 AMESPN MLB — Tawa's bunt try irks Guardians in perfect game bid
- 11:53 PMYahoo Sports — A bunt, a perfect game bid and a tarp: How Diamondbacks-Guardians tensions boiled over
- 8:17 PMMLB.com — Bunt attempt during perfecto bid leads to benches clearing in Cleveland - MLB.com
"Torey Lovullo has been involved with professional baseball as a player or coach for nearly 40 years. While some might think Tim Tawa trying to bunt during the sixth inning of Sunday's game while Cleveland's Gavin Williams had a perfect game bid going violated the unwritten codes of the sport, Lovullo said it was a perfectly acceptable decision.
"After Arizona's Tim Tawa tried to bunt to break up a Cleveland perfect game bid on Sunday, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said it was a perfectly acceptable decision even though tensions boiled over in the Guardians' 5-0 victory at Progressive Field.
"CLEVELAND -- A strange scene unfolded at Progressive Field in the sixth inning of the Diamondbacks' 5-0 loss to the Guardians on Sunday. The benches cleared and gathered around home plate as the Cleveland grounds crew pulled the tarp for a rain delay.
Sources
External links- ESPN MLBAug 3, 2026, 1:26 AMTawa's bunt try irks Guardians in perfect game bid
After Arizona's Tim Tawa tried to bunt to break up a Cleveland perfect game bid on Sunday, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said it was a perfectly acceptable decision even though tensions boiled over in the Guardians' 5-0 victory at Progressive Field.
- Yahoo SportsAug 2, 2026, 11:53 PMA bunt, a perfect game bid and a tarp: How Diamondbacks-Guardians tensions boiled over
Torey Lovullo has been involved with professional baseball as a player or coach for nearly 40 years. While some might think Tim Tawa trying to bunt during the sixth inning of Sunday's game while Cleveland's Gavin Williams had a perfect game bid going violated the unwritten codes of the sport, Lovullo said it was a perfectly acceptable decision.
- MLB.comAug 2, 2026, 8:17 PMBunt attempt during perfecto bid leads to benches clearing in Cleveland - MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- A strange scene unfolded at Progressive Field in the sixth inning of the Diamondbacks' 5-0 loss to the Guardians on Sunday. The benches cleared and gathered around home plate as the Cleveland grounds crew pulled the tarp for a rain delay.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
MLB•Oct 18, 2026, 1:35 PMPadres making moves; Prospects making impressions
MLB•Oct 18, 2026, 1:30 PMI’m rooting for the Brewers to win the World Series
MLB•Oct 18, 2026, 12:30 PMPirates sign Minor League outfielder to two-year deal
MLB•Oct 18, 2026, 11:24 AMBrewers slugger Jake Bauers wins NLCS MVP award against hometown Dodgers
MLB•Oct 18, 2026, 10:30 AMToday on Pinstripe Alley – 10/18/26
MLB•Oct 18, 2026, 10:16 AMGuardians struggle to contain Rays stars Caminero, Diaz, Aranda in loss