ST. PETERSBURG, Florida. — Freddy Peralta tossed six scoreless innings to fuel the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Liam Hicks recorded a two-run single and joined Jonny DeLuca with two hits for the Rays, who evened the best-of-seven series with the Guardians at one win apiece. Game 3 is on Thursday in Cleveland.
Peralta (1-0) scattered four hits and struck out six batters while walking two. The right-hander capped his 99-pitch outing by striking out rookie Petey Halpin to end the sixth inning.
The outing was Peralta’s eighth in a row in which he allowed one or fewer earned run.
Cleveland rookie Chase DeLauter ripped an RBI double down the right field line to trim Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-1 in the seventh inning. Left-hander Ian Seymour, however, struck out Jo Adell with runners on second and third to end the inning.
Seymour retired the side in order in the eighth inning to bridge the gap to All-Star closer Bryan Baker, who did the same in the ninth to secure his fourth save of the postseason after leading the major leagues with 41 in the regular season.
Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez misplayed a routine grounder by Ben Williamson, as the ball bounced through his legs and into left field to allow Victor Mesa, Jr. to score the game’s first run in the fourth inning.
Hicks followed by sending the next pitch from Parker Messick (0-2) into right-center field to plate both Chandler Simpson and Williamson and stake Tampa Bay to a 3-0 lead.
Earlier in the inning, the Guardians appeared to have turned their third double play in four innings before Tampa Bay successfully challenged the play. Mesa was ruled safe at first base.
Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero snared a sharp liner by Steven Kwan in the fifth inning. Caminero then drew a rise out of the crowd by flashing a finger wag, in the manner of former NBA renowned shot blocker Dikembe Mutombo.
Messick, a native of nearby Plant City, Florida, permitted three runs (all unearned) on six hits in five innings. The rookie left-hander also walked two and hit one batter. — Reuters