Freddy Peralta threw six scoreless innings and Liam Hicks drove in two runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 on Tuesday at Tropicana Field, evening the ALCS at one game apiece. The Rays vs Guardians ALCS Game 2 score turned on a three-run fourth inning that erased a quiet start from both offenses.
Tampa Bay broke through against Guardians starter Parker Messick in the fourth. Victor Mesa Jr. scored on a fielding error by third baseman Jose Ramirez, and Chandler Simpson scored on Hicks’ single to center. That one swing put the Rays up 3-0 and proved to be all the offense Peralta would need. Messick took the loss, falling to 0-2 in the series after allowing three runs, none earned, on six hits across five innings.
Key Moments: How The Rays Won
The game stayed scoreless through three innings before Tampa Bay’s defense-aided rally in the fourth decided it. Cleveland did not answer until the seventh, when DeLauter doubled to right to score a run and cut the deficit to 3-1. The Guardians could not push another run across, stranding opportunities against Tampa Bay’s bullpen.
Peralta worked around traffic all night, scattering four hits and two walks over six innings without allowing a run. Kevin Kelly surrendered Cleveland’s lone run in relief before Ian Seymour and closer Bryan Baker shut the door, with Baker earning his fourth save of the postseason with a scoreless ninth.
Top Performers
Peralta was credited with the win, improving to 1-0 in the series with a 0.84 ERA after striking out six and walking two over six innings. Hicks went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Jonny DeLuca added two hits in four at-bats for Tampa Bay. Chandler Simpson scored a run and had a hit, while Junior Caminero added an RBI single.
For Cleveland, DeLauter was the lone bright spot at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI, two walks and a strikeout. Steven Kwan had two hits, and Jose Ramirez added a single but was charged with the costly fourth-inning error. Messick struck out three but was undone by the defensive miscue behind him.
What It Means
The win pulls the Rays level in the ALCS at 1-1. Tampa Bay improved to 98-64 this season, while Cleveland fell to 85-77. The Rays’ pitching staff limited Cleveland to one run on six hits, striking out nine batters as a staff.
What’s Next
Game 3 is set for the Rays and Guardians to continue the series at 1-1. Tampa Bay’s bullpen, which did not allow a run after Kelly’s lone blemish, will be a focal point moving forward. For more on the series, read the Guardians vs Rays ALCS Game 1 recap and the update on Junior Caminero’s ALCS collision. Fantasy players can also check the MLB DFS postseason lineups for Oct. 13 ahead of the next game.
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