The Guardians Grind beat the Rays by a 7-3 margin in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, and it wasn’t without effort. Drew Rasmussen was stellar through the seventh inning, when Tampa Bay held a 2-0 lead at Tropicana Field. Then Patrick Bailey hit a 436-foot homer to tie it, and Nathaniel Lowe’s two-run single in the eighth put Cleveland ahead. The Guardians had a total of 14 hits. This post will look into the comeback, what players did to get it done and what to watch in game 2.
Rays Take Early Control With Rasmussen
The Rays came into the series full of confidence. They won 98 games in the regular season and swept the Yankees in the last round. They also had four days of rest, as well as Cleveland struggled through a difficult five-game series against the White Sox. Tampa Bay had the jump on them. The Rays took a 2-0 lead into the first inning as both Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca had RBI singles.
Starter Foster Griffin allowed 10 hits and three walks over 29 pitches for Cleveland. Then, Drew Rasmussen settled in. He threw 90 pitches through six innings and the Rays were stuck on the bases with good defense. It appeared for many days that the Rays would be able to go on winning the way they always do.
Guardians Grind Back With Late Power
Cleveland didn’t pull back. Chase DeLauter blasted an opposite-field homer off Rasmussen to give the bullpen a chance to keep the game close as Griffin was replaced. The relievers were left to clean up after Griffin allowed five hits and two runs in four innings. Next came the seventh inning. The Rays sent Rasmussen back out, and Patrick Bailey was in for a surprise when the first pitch he saw was in the hands of the big man.
The ball would travel 436 feet, the longest homer of his MLB career and tie the game. That was the last swing Rasmussen saw that night. The Rays were playing crisp, clean baseball in their first six innings, but Cleveland didn’t fight and waited for one great swing. It was the way Cleveland has played this month, coming off a 0-2 losing streak against the White Sox.
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Lowe’s Big Hit Puts Cleveland Ahead
The game was tied in the eighth. Cleveland was on two runners and Nathaniel Lowe was at the plate with a tie-breaker. Lowe, who formerly pitched for the Rays, pitched a two-run single up the middle. It was the Guardians’ first lead in the series. José Ramírez followed up with another push.
He broke for third base with two outs and two strikes on the batter and the bold play helped Cleveland score two more runs. The Guardians scored 14 hits by the end of the night, with Ramírez and DeLauter having three apiece. The Yankees hit a long way from the 12 hits the Rays gave up in the entire series.
Why the Rays Fell Short
Tampa Bay fought well for much of the night, but failed to complete the task. The defense of the Rays took an early run on Rasmussen, but the offense never found the scoring opportunities. Shortstop Taylor Walls was 0-3 with six on base. The Rays could have gotten the big hit to pull away but Cedric Mullins hit a solo homer.
But his team needs to get over their first loss in the postseason fast, Kevin Cash said. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt, on the other hand, gave his players praise after they rallied from a deficit after their five-game series. There were 35,361 yellow rally towels waved and cowbells rung in a crowd, though, which didn’t result in the home team winning the game.
What Comes Next in Game 2
The game on Tuesday night will be at Tropicana Field. Rookie lefty Parker Messick will make his debut with Cleveland. He lost Game 1 of the Division Series and then came into the world in a Game 4 victory in relief pitching 2 1/3 innings. Right-hander Freddy Peralta will make his debut for the Rays. In his start against the Yankees, he allowed just one run and had three hits in 4 2/3 innings.
This is just the opening round of a best-of-seven series and the Rays have been to the playoffs five times in the six regular-season meetings played between the two teams. Nevertheless, Cleveland is ahead and on the offensive. The Rays would be in a difficult situation if they win, and it would bring the Caps one step closer to a 77-season title drought that is the longest in MLB history.
Final Word
Cleveland didn’t look pretty for six innings but that wasn’t necessary. The Guardians were patient, trusted their bullpen and maximized big hits from both Bailey and Lowe. This series is far from over, but the Rays are a solid team as well. As of now, Cleveland have the early lead.
FAQs
1.Who won Game 1 of the Guardians-Rays ALCS?
The Guardians defeated the Preserving on Monday night 7-3 at Tropicana Field. They trailed two runs, tied with a homer from Patrick Bailey and went ahead on a two-run single by Nathaniel Lowe.
2.Who had the key home run in Game 1?
In the seventh, Patrick Bailey singled a 436-foot homer. It was the tying punch for Drew Rasmussen and the end of his night. Chase DeLure also had one homer in his career off of Rasmussen before.
3.Who starts Game 2?
Cleveland’s rookie left-hander Parker Messick is the starter. RHP Freddy Peralta is the starter for Tampa Bay. The game will be Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.
4.How did the Guardians make the ALCS?
They won all five of their Division Series meetings with the White Sox. Cleveland dropped their first two games and was the 11th team to win a best-of-five series since that 2-0 deficit.
5.How many years has it been since the Guardians had a title win?
The longest drought in MLB history that Cleveland has experienced is 77 seasons without earning a World Series championship.
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