The Cleveland Guardians secured a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The win came after the Guardians had overcome an 0-2 deficit against the White Sox to reach the ALCS, marking their first step past that hurdle. Looking ahead, the teams will meet again on Tuesday night when rookie left‑hander Parker Messick starts for Cleveland against right‑hander Freddy Peralta.
Tampa Bay jumped on Cleveland early in the first inning with RBI singles from Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca, adding a solo homer from Cedric Mullins. Those early runs gave the Rays an initial lead that the Guardians would have to answer.
Before the decisive eighth‑inning hit, Cleveland extended their lead with solo home runs by Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey off starter Drew Rasmussen. Bailey’s blast was estimated to have traveled 436 feet. Rasmussen, who had pitched into the sixth inning of a no‑hit effort in the previous round, saw his scoreless innings streak end with those two solo shots.
The story anchor notes that Chase DeLauter’s home run ended Drew Rasmussen’s scoreless innings streak.
The story anchor notes that Chase DeLauter’s home run ended Drew Rasmussen’s scoreless innings streak.
Before Nathaniel Lowe’s hit, Cleveland had benefited from baserunning by José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter. Their aggressive paths on the bases created the situation that allowed Lowe’s eighth‑inning single to drive in two runs and turn the tide.
The hit capitalized on the earlier baserunning by Ramírez and DeLauter and gave Cleveland a lead they would not relinquish.
The game was watched by a crowd of 35,361 fans at Tropicana Field. Patrick Bailey’s home run reached an estimated distance of 436 feet. With the victory, Cleveland became the 11th team in history to overcome a 0‑2 deficit in a five‑game playoff series, while the Rays entered the contest having posted a 98‑win regular‑season record.
The Guardians will face the Rays again on Tuesday night when rookie left‑hander Parker Messick starts for Cleveland against right‑hander Freddy Peralta, setting up another pivotal matchup in the series.