Guardians Rally Late to Steal Game 1 of ALCS from Rays
Cleveland scores four runs in the ninth inning to overcome a late deficit and take an early lead in the series.
The Cleveland Guardians mounted a dramatic ninth-inning comeback to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.
The Rays initially took a 2-0 lead in the first inning with RBI hits from Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca. Starter Drew Rasmussen held the Guardians scoreless through five innings, striking out seven.
Cleveland broke through in the sixth inning when Chase DeLauter hit a solo home run. Patrick Bailey tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh with another solo blast, ending Rasmussen's night.
The Guardians then took a 4-2 lead in the eighth inning after Jose Ramirez singled and DeLauter doubled, setting up a go-ahead two-run single by Nathaniel Lowe. Tampa Bay narrowed the gap to 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run from pinch-hitter Cedric Mullins.
However, Cleveland sealed the victory in the ninth. Ramirez delivered a clutch RBI single to make it 5-3, followed by a two-run double from Jo Adell off reliever Kevin Kelly to extend the lead to 7-3.
Cleveland's offense accumulated 14 hits against six Rays pitchers. The Guardians, who swept the New York Yankees in the previous round, now hold an early series advantage. Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.