The Cleveland Guardians’ season came to an end last night, falling to the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.
Tampa Bay rallied from a 2-1 series deficit to win 3 straight games, capturing the ALCS 4 games to 2 and punching its ticket to the World Series.
Freddie Peralta delivered 5.1 innings of 1 run baseball to pick up his 2nd victory in the series, earning him ALCS Most Valuable Player honors for his domination of Guardians hitters, throwing 12 innings in the series and giving up just that 1 run.
Reliever, turned opener, Shawn Armstrong took the loss for Cleveland, as the Guardians were unable to extend the series to a decisive 7th game.
The Rays capitalized on their opportunities down the stretch, with timely hitting, great defense and lights out pitching, winning the final 3 games to put away Cleveland and claim the American League pennant.
The Guards struggled once again to come up with the timely hits, going 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position and leaving 9 men on base.
Adding to the frustration for Guardians fans, 3 familiar faces played a major role in eliminating their former team.
Former Cleveland players Yandy Díaz, Junior Caminero and Richie Palacios combined to go 5-for-12 in Game 6, collecting a double, 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in.
With the series now complete, the Rays turn their attention to the World Series, where they will face the Milwaukee Brewers for baseball’s championship.
Meanwhile, the Guardians head into the offseason looking to regroup after falling 2 wins shy of the Fall Classic and still chasing their first World Series Title since 1948.
