The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday, evening the series at one win each. Freddy Peralta turned in a dominant pitching display at Tropicana Field, holding Cleveland scoreless through six innings as Tampa Bay bounced back from a loss in the opener.
The Rays took advantage of a costly defensive mistake in the fourth inning to score all three of their runs, giving Peralta the support he needed to earn the win. The series now heads to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday.
Freddy Peralta shines in Rays’ ALCS victory
Peralta gave up only four hits and two walks while striking out six over six shutout innings. The 30-year-old also hit a personal milestone in the fifth inning, throwing the fastest pitch of his career at 99.4 mph.
His outing put him in rare company in Tampa Bay history. Peralta became just the second Rays pitcher to post a scoreless quality start in the ALCS or World Series, joining Scott Kazmir, who did so in Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS.
The performance extended an impressive stretch for Peralta, who has allowed only four earned runs over his last 44 2/3 innings across eight starts going back to the regular season.
Rays capitalize on Guardians’ defensive miscue
Tampa Bay broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring three unearned runs after Cleveland third baseman José Ramírez made an error. Liam Hicks followed the mistake with a two-run single, providing the key offensive spark for the Rays.
The play proved costly for the Guardians, who otherwise held Tampa Bay to three runs in the game. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, it was only the seventh time since 1913 that a team had allowed at least three unearned runs in a playoff game.
Peralta embraces postseason pressure
After the game, Peralta said that high-pressure moments fit his competitive mindset. His comments were reported by Rays reporter Ryan Bass.
“I define myself as a competitor,” Peralta said. “I like these kinds of games… I feel like I have that in me.”
His six scoreless innings gave Tampa Bay the foundation it needed to even the ALCS, with the Rays pairing their starter’s effectiveness with a crucial fourth-inning chance.
Game 3 shifts to Cleveland with starters announced
The series moves to Cleveland for Thursday’s Game 3, with both teams aiming to take the lead in the best-of-seven matchup.
The Rays have announced that Griffin Jax will start on the mound. The Guardians, meanwhile, have not yet revealed their starting pitcher for the next game.