CLEVELAND — Shane Bieber looked every bit the ace Cleveland has long counted on, delivering seven innings of two-run ball Wednesday night at Progressive Field as the Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in the series opener. Bieber, who has been building momentum through April, struck out eight and walked just one in a performance that quieted a Rays lineup that has struggled against right-handed pitching this season.

José Ramírez continued his torrid April with a two-run double in the fourth inning, extending his RBI total to 28 on the young season. The veteran third baseman has been the offensive engine for Cleveland, and Wednesday was no exception, as he lined a Tyler Glasnow fastball into the left-center gap with two outs to give the Guardians a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish.

Tampa Bay managed just five hits off Bieber, with their only real threat coming in the sixth inning when Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe hit back-to-back singles. Bieber escaped the jam by inducing a fielder's choice and a strikeout, drawing a standing ovation from the Progressive Field crowd as he walked off after the seventh.

Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase handled the ninth inning with characteristic efficiency, recording his 12th save of the season on just 11 pitches. The Rays, who entered Wednesday sitting at .500, will look to regroup for Thursday's game with their rotation in better position after resting a day.

The win moves Cleveland to 18-10 on the season, keeping pace at the top of the AL Central. Manager Stephen Vogt praised Bieber's command post-game, noting that the right-hander's slider has been particularly sharp since returning from a brief early-season stint on the injured list. The Guardians host Tampa Bay again Thursday before a weekend series against the Yankees.