DETROIT -- This was the second time Guardians manager Stephen Vogt walked to the mound this season without being completely convinced he was going to remove his starter. And both times, it was Tanner Bibee on the mound.

It’s clear that Bibee is proving that he can take the step forward into an ace-type role or at least a workhorse who’s ready to compete harder than anyone else on the field. And with a rotation that is struggling with depth and leadership, this is an extremely crucial type of pitcher to have, especially when he’s able to rise to the occasion every time he’s asked to.

Unfortunately for the Guardians, Bibee got off to a shaky start in Cleveland’s 5-4 loss to Detroit on Wednesday night at Comerica Park. The Guardians got the tying run to reach third base in the ninth inning, but once again the offense was unable to pick up the timely hit, leaving Bibee frustrated with himself for not keeping the Tigers off the board earlier in the night.

This performance was the epitome of Bibee’s first half of the season. After giving up four runs in the first three innings, he locked back in and allowed just one hit over the next four scoreless frames. After he finished the sixth, Vogt told him that he had two more hitters. In the back of Bibee’s mind, he knew he was going to get all three outs in the seventh.

The first two outs were made and, as promised, out came Vogt from the dugout. Bibee had thrown 104 pitches through 6 2/3 innings. In theory, it was time to get him out of there, but he knew how badly his bullpen needed rest. Bibee locked eyes with Vogt and started begging to stay. Although it seemed as though Vogt was shaking his head “no” before he even got to the mound, he never signaled to the bullpen to send in Sam Hentges. Bibee started talking as soon as Vogt got within earshot and made his case.

“I just told him, ‘Look, I don’t want you to get hurt. I need you to tell me that you’re feeling really good. I’m putting a lot of trust into you right now. I need you to get this guy quick,’” Vogt said. “I wanted to see his eyes. I wanted to make sure he was 100 percent feeling good and he was.”

So, Bibee kept the ball and got Wenceel Pérez to strike out swinging on five pitches. Bibee let out a roar in celebration that he stepped up to the plate when his team -- and specifically his manager -- needed him most. He preserved the one-run deficit at the time and showed he could tap into his best stuff even when he’s at his career high in pitches thrown.

“I’m really happy he left me out there to do that,” Bibee said. “I think today was a good opportunity for me to do that.”

Moments like this are a good test for a young pitcher who the Guardians have high hopes for. Bibee has shown he can become a dependable, innings-eating workhorse with untouchable stuff. It’s these opportunities that help him take the next step in his development.

He recognizes this and he was happy he delivered when given this chance. But in the same breath, his reflection took a turn.

“I was just flat-out not that good today,” Bibee said.

Maybe it’s an extreme thought given the fact that he dug deep in order to finish the seventh inning, or given the fact that he saved the bullpen that’s overworked from having to record an extra out. He also showed he could find a way to make an in-game adjustment when it was clear he didn’t have his best stuff and the Tigers had a good plan against him through the first three innings. And Bibee knows this start said a lot about his growth. But he can’t completely buy into it.

“It says a lot,” Bibee said about going seven innings. “But one part of me wants to sit here and say I was horrible because I expect a lot out of myself.”

At times he’s looked like an ace. At others he looks like he’s dealing with some usual sophomore struggles. But the first half of the season is in the rearview mirror and now Bibee is looking to learn from these 19 starts and come back even better after the All-Star break.

“An extremely up-and-down first half,” Bibee said. “I’m frustrated more than anyone.”