- May 2, 2026
- 11
- 0
Tampa Bay 7, Cleveland 3 — TB wins series 4-2
Rays punch their ticket. That's it. That's the series.
Freddy Peralta was the story last night at Tropicana. The man went 5.1 innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 walks, and only 1 earned run on 84 pitches. Not a pristine line but he gave Tampa exactly what they needed: keep Cleveland at arm's length while the offense did its thing. He gets the W and the Rays are moving on.
The damage was done early and it was done with the long ball. Junior Caminero went 2-3 with a homer, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, and drew a walk. The kid was locked in all night. Yandy Diaz added a homer of his own — 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI. That's the kind of production that ends a series. Richie Palacios chipped in too, going 2-4 with 2 RBI without leaving the yard.
On the Cleveland side, Chase DeLauter went 2-5 with 2 runs scored but the Guardians couldn't string anything meaningful together against that Tampa pen after Peralta exited. Nathaniel Lowe had a decent night — 2-3, a run, an RBI, a walk — but it wasn't enough.
Shawn Armstrong started for Cleveland and took the loss, getting just 1 inning on 9 pitches. That's a tough spot to put a guy in and the Rays made them pay for it immediately.
Tampa Bay finishes the regular season at 98-64. Cleveland bows out at 85-77. Rays are going to the World Series.
Who do you want to see Tampa face in the Fall Classic?
Questions? Tag @The Heavy Hitter.
Rays punch their ticket. That's it. That's the series.
Freddy Peralta was the story last night at Tropicana. The man went 5.1 innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 walks, and only 1 earned run on 84 pitches. Not a pristine line but he gave Tampa exactly what they needed: keep Cleveland at arm's length while the offense did its thing. He gets the W and the Rays are moving on.
The damage was done early and it was done with the long ball. Junior Caminero went 2-3 with a homer, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, and drew a walk. The kid was locked in all night. Yandy Diaz added a homer of his own — 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI. That's the kind of production that ends a series. Richie Palacios chipped in too, going 2-4 with 2 RBI without leaving the yard.
On the Cleveland side, Chase DeLauter went 2-5 with 2 runs scored but the Guardians couldn't string anything meaningful together against that Tampa pen after Peralta exited. Nathaniel Lowe had a decent night — 2-3, a run, an RBI, a walk — but it wasn't enough.
Shawn Armstrong started for Cleveland and took the loss, getting just 1 inning on 9 pitches. That's a tough spot to put a guy in and the Rays made them pay for it immediately.
Tampa Bay finishes the regular season at 98-64. Cleveland bows out at 85-77. Rays are going to the World Series.
Who do you want to see Tampa face in the Fall Classic?
Questions? Tag @The Heavy Hitter.