The Tampa Bay Rays struggled late against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) opener. After seven innings of intense baseball on Monday night in St. Petersburg, the Guardians surged with five runs in the final two innings, securing a 7-3 victory.
In the eighth inning, José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter scored crucial runs, helping Cleveland claim Game 1 at Tropicana Field on October 12, 2026. The evening began well for the Rays, who took an early lead. Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca drove in two runs in the first inning, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 advantage. Starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen maintained this lead through five innings, striking out seven Cleveland batters.
However, the Guardians began their comeback in the sixth inning. Chase DeLauter hit a solo home run, narrowing the margin. Patrick Bailey’s seventh-inning blast tied the game at 2-2, ending Rasmussen’s night. In the eighth, Cleveland intensified the attack against relievers Tyler Wells and Ian Seymour. José Ramírez hit an infield single, followed by DeLauter’s double and a two-run single from Nathaniel Lowe, pushing the score to 4-2.
Tampa Bay responded in the bottom of the eighth. Cedric Mullins hit a solo home run, bringing the Rays within one run. But José Ramírez proved pivotal, capping off his night with an RBI single in the ninth that increased the lead to 5-3. After a walk, Jo Adell struck a decisive two-run double, cementing the 7-3 win for Cleveland.
The Guardians’ offense was formidable, amassing 14 hits against Tampa Bay’s bullpen. Key contributions from Ramírez and DeLauter, along with Cade Smith’s swift finish, clinched the victory. The loss came as a setback for the Rays, who had recently swept the Yankees. They now face mounting pressure as they prepare for Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.
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