Late on Monday night, the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen faltered. After seven tough innings in St. Petersburg, the Cleveland Guardians erupted with five runs over the last two innings, winning Game 1 of the ALCS 7-3.
José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter of the Guardians celebrated their runs in the eighth inning at Tropicana Field on October 12, 2026. The Rays initially had the advantage. With two outs in the first inning, Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca delivered back-to-back RBI hits, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead.
Rays starter Drew Rasmussen maintained the lead through five innings while striking out seven. However, Chase DeLauter got to Rasmussen in the sixth with an opposite-field solo home run, closing the gap.
Patrick Bailey tied the game for Cleveland at the start of the seventh with a solo homer, ending Rasmussen’s night with a 2-2 score.
The Guardians stayed aggressive in the eighth, facing pitchers Tyler Wells and Ian Seymour. Ramirez started with a hustle infield single. DeLauter doubled down the line, and Nathaniel Lowe hit a two-run single, pushing Cleveland to a 4-2 lead.
In response, pinch-hitter Cedric Mullins hit a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth, reducing the deficit to 4-3.
Ramirez extended the lead in the ninth. After collecting two runs earlier, he hit an RBI single against Cole Sulser to make it 5-3. Kevin Kelly faced Jo Adell, who hit a two-run double, sealing the game at 7-3.
Cleveland managed 14 hits against six Tampa Bay pitchers. Ramirez and DeLauter led with six hits combined before Cade Smith finished the game efficiently.
Tampa Bay previously swept the Yankees, but this loss adds pressure. Game 2 is set for Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.