Rays Even ALCS With 3-1 Win Over Guardians; Peralta, Fourth-Inning Rally Key Victory

The Tampa Bay Rays pulled even in the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night, beating the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 2 behind six scoreless innings from Freddy Peralta and a decisive three-run fourth inning. The win at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1 after Cleveland took Game 1.

Peralta, a trade-deadline addition acquired from the New York Mets on Aug. 2, gave Tampa Bay exactly the response it needed. The right-hander allowed four hits and two walks over six innings, struck out six and threw 99 pitches to earn the win. According to MLB’s Rays recap, Peralta also reached 99.4 mph on a fastball to Cleveland outfielder Jo Adell in the fifth inning, the hardest pitch of his career, and threw 29 pitches at 97 mph or harder.

Tampa Bay did all of its scoring in the fourth. The inning turned when Ben Williamson hit a grounder that Cleveland third baseman José Ramírez mishandled for an error, allowing the Rays’ first run to score and extending the frame. Liam Hicks followed with a two-run single, driving in Chandler Simpson and Williamson to push the lead to 3-0.

That was enough support for Peralta and the Rays’ bullpen. Cleveland’s only run came in the seventh, when Chase DeLauter doubled home Patrick Bailey. Kevin Kelly was charged with that run after taking over for Peralta. Ian Seymour then covered 1 1/3 innings, and Bryan Baker recorded the final out for the save.

Cleveland starter Parker Messick took the loss. Tampa Bay finished with seven hits and no errors, while the Guardians had six hits and one error.

The series now shifts to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, with the best-of-seven ALCS tied at one game apiece.