The Tampa Bay Rays fell to the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Monday night in game one of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. It was the first loss of the postseason for Tampa Bay, and Cleveland's fourth win in a row.
Tampa Bay struck first in this game, getting two in the first inning thanks to RBI singles from Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca. Chase DeLauter hit a solo homer in the sixth off Rays starter Drew Rasmussen to pull within 2-1. Rasmussen went out to start the seventh inning and allowed a solo homer to Patrick Bailey that tied the game before he was lifted by manager Kevin Cash.
Rasmussen finished the night allowing two runs - both of them earned - on eight hits in six innings of work in which he struck out seven and walked none. The Guardians were able to get to the Rays bullpen, when Nathaniel Lowe hit a two-run single off Tyler Wells in the eighth inning to take a 4-2 lead. Wells took the loss in this game.
In the ninth inning, there was a scary moment in foul territory down the third base line when Rays third baseman Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca collided - Junior then went down and stayed down for some time, appearing to be in pain. He was checked out by the medical staff and cleared to say in the game - manager Kevin Cash said afterwards that Caminero was fine, and appeared to have the wind knocked out of him.
Moments after the collision the Guardians got three more runs thanks to a Jose Ramirez single to make it 5-3 and a Jo Adell two-run double to make it 7-3, which would prove to be the final score. Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis picked up the win out of the bullpen for Cleveland.
The Rays and Guardians now meet in game two of the best-of-seven ALCS on Tuesday night. Freddy Peralta (0-0, 1.93) is scheduled to start for the Rays and face Parker Messick (0-1, 5.40) for the Guardians. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 8:00 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 7:00 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES