Freddy Peralta Shines as Rays Even ALCS Against Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta delivered a stellar performance, allowing just four hits over six innings, as the Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 to tie the American League Championship Series at one game apiece.
Freddy Peralta threw six innings of four-hit ball, Liam Hicks lined a two-run single after a fielding error by José Ramírez, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 Tuesday night to even the AL Championship Series at 1-1.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Thursday night in Cleveland.
Ramírez, whose two-run homer in Game 5 of their AL Division Series against Chicago helped the Guardians become the 11th team to overcome an 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five series, misplayed a grounder in the fourth inning that led to three unearned runs against rookie left-hander Parker Messick.
Junior Caminero walked to start that inning, and Victor Mesa Jr. grounded into a forceout originally ruled a double play. The Rays challenged the calls at both first and second, and Mesa was ruled safe when a video review overturned the out decision by first base umpire Mark Ripperger.
After Jonny DeLuca struck out, Chandler Simpson beat out a high chopper to shortstop, and Mesa reached third base when Ramírez failed to cover the bag. Ben Williamson followed with a grounder that scooted underneath Ramírez’s glove and between his legs after the ball hit the edge where the artificial turf met the infield dirt. Williamson reached second base, and Simpson went to third.
Hicks drove the next pitch to right-center for a 3-0 lead, electrifying the crowd of 32,125 fans at Tropicana Field.
Peralta and three relievers did not need further support. With fans chanting “Freddy! Freddy! Freddy!”, Peralta struck out six to earn the win. He was visibly fired up walking off the mound in the sixth inning after fanning Petey Halpin swinging at a 3-2 changeup.
Kevin Kelly recorded two outs in the seventh, retiring Ramírez on a fly ball to center field with two runners on base. Left-hander Ian Seymour replaced him and Chase DeLauter lined an RBI double to the right-field corner. Seymour then struck out Jo Adell swinging at a changeup, leaving runners at second and third.
Seymour pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Bryan Baker closed out the perfect ninth for his fourth postseason save.
Acquired by the Rays from the Mets at the trade deadline, Peralta turned his season around in Tampa Bay, going 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts after posting a 4.99 ERA for New York.
Messick, who grew up attending Rays games at the Trop, took the loss after surrendering six hits and the three unearned runs in five innings.
Cleveland had won four straight postseason games for the first time since winning their first six playoff games in 2016 on their way to a World Series berth. The 98-win Rays swept the New York Yankees before a 7-3 loss in Game 1 on Monday.
Neither team had announced a starter for Thursday night. RHP Nick Martinez (15-6, 3.10 ERA) started Game 3 against the Yankees, allowing two runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings in a 4-3 victory. RHP Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.76) is on schedule to start for the Guardians. Williams started Games 2 and 5 against the White Sox and tossed an inning in relief in Game 4, recording 24 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings while allowing two runs and six hits.