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Postseason Peralta Lifts Rays Past Guardians: 3 Takeaways From ALCS Game 2

The Tampa Bay Rays turned a series-defining moment on their home turf Tuesday night, overcoming a shaky start to the American League Championship Series with a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2. After dropping Game 1 and risking a two-game deficit, Tampa Bay’s bullpen and relentless basepath pressure turned the tide, with a pair of costly errors by Guardians third baseman José Ramírez sparking a three-run fourth inning.

Ramírez’s misplays—a missed tag on a Chandler Simpson grounder and a botched attempt to field a Ben Williamson chopper—allowed the Rays to load the bases and extend their lead to 3-0 before Liam Hicks’ two-run single sealed the frame. The win reset the series and restored Tampa Bay’s confidence, while right-hander Freddy Peralta—nicknamed ‘Five-Inning Freddy’ for his typical early exits—extended his outing past the fifth, leaving the Guardians searching for answers after a dismal start to their postseason.

Up nextMLB· 22m ago

Peralta shines as Rays seize on Ramírez error to level ALCS against Guardians