▲ Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Freddy Peralta roars after a play.
The Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) leveled the American League Championship Series (ALCS, best-of-seven) thanks to a stellar, scoreless performance by starting pitcher Freddy Peralta.
Tampa Bay defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 2 of the 2026 MLB postseason ALCS held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on the 14th (Korean time).
Having suffered a 7-3 comeback loss in Game 1 the previous day, Tampa Bay bounced back in Game 2 to tie the series at one win and one loss each.
The two teams will move to Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, to play Game 3 on the 16th.
Tampa Bay starter Peralta shut down the Cleveland lineup over 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 batters without giving up a run.
Tampa Bay took the lead in the bottom of the 4th inning following a defensive error by Cleveland.
With two outs and a runner on first, Chandler Simpson hit an infield single to shortstop off Cleveland starting pitcher Parker Messick to set up runners on first and third. On the ensuing play, Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez failed to cleanly field a grounder by Ben Williamson, allowing the runner on third to score.
With two outs and runners on second and third continuing the rally, Liam Hicks drove the first pitch—a 143 km/h (approx. 88.9 mph) slider from Messick—for a two-run single to center, extending the lead to 3-0.
After Peralta left the mound, Tampa Bay allowed a run in the top of the 7th inning with two outs and runners on first and second when Ian Seymour gave up an RBI double to Chase DeLauter, but they held Cleveland scoreless in the 8th and 9th innings to close out the game.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.