Peralta shuts down Guardians as Rays win 3-1 to level ALCS

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 13, drawing level at one win apiece in the American League Championship Series. Freddy Peralta pitched six scoreless innings, while Liam Hicks drove in two runs during the fourth-inning rally that supplied all of Tampa Bay's scoring.

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According to theScore, Peralta surrendered four hits and two walks and struck out six to earn the victory. The right-hander also reached 99.4 mph in the fifth inning, the fastest pitch of his career. His performance kept Cleveland scoreless through the first two-thirds of the game and gave Tampa Bay's bullpen a three-run advantage to protect.

The breakthrough came after three scoreless innings. Sports Illustrated's Rays coverage reported that a ground ball from Ben Williamson led to an error by Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez, allowing Victor Mesa Jr. to score. Hicks then singled on the first pitch he faced, bringing home Chandler Simpson and Williamson. All three runs were unearned.

Cleveland eventually cut the deficit through a run-scoring double by Chase DeLauter against Ian Seymour, but the Rays allowed no further scoring. Bryan Baker handled the ninth inning without allowing a baserunner and struck out one batter. Sports Illustrated reported that the closer had converted 34 consecutive save opportunities, counting both regular-season and postseason games.

Peralta's outing extended a strong stretch that began before the playoffs. TheScore reported that he had conceded only four earned runs across his most recent eight starts, covering 44 2/3 innings. He also joined Scott Kazmir as the only Rays pitchers to deliver a scoreless quality start in an ALCS or World Series game; Kazmir did so in 2008.

The result reversed Tampa Bay's experience in the opener, when Cleveland overcame an early 2-0 deficit and scored in each of the final four innings to win 7-3. This time, the Rays made their fourth-inning advantage stand. After a day off, the series moves to Progressive Field in Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday, October 15.