Those who still had doubts about which team in the majors has the best bullpen should not after what the Cleveland Guardians were able to do on Wednesday. In a bullpen game, they held the Cincinnati Reds without a base runner through six innings, attempting to become the first team in MLB history to throw a combined perfect game.
Reds outfielder TJ Friedl would have none of it, though, as he dropped a perfectly placed bunt on the first pitch thrown by Tim Herrin, resulting in a single. This not only broke the perfect game, but it also broke any chance that they had at a combined no-hitter.
Friedl choosing to do this with a bunt caused many Guardians fans to be up in arms, including their official Twitter account.
Breaking up a perfect game through 6.0 on a bunt? Kentucky Reds behavior. pic.twitter.com/qSUFbKTQzE
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) September 26, 2024
As bad as bunting for a hit to break up a perfect game might look, there really should be no complaints from anyone…