Guardians defeat Rays 3-2 in Game 3 to take 2-1 ALCS lead

The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Thursday to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. Petey Halpin hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning, while Gavin Williams pitched five innings with nine strikeouts.

Williams dominates early innings

Gavin Williams averaged 97.6 m.p.h. with his fastball and recorded nine strikeouts over five innings. According to Sportsnet, Williams threw 210 pitches over 11.2 innings in the previous series against the Chicago White Sox, allowing only two runs. Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis noted that the team's first-round bye provided Williams with nine days of rest before that series, which he described as "a blessing in disguise."

In Game 3, Williams did not allow a runner and struck out five batters in his first time through the order. He allowed two runs and one walk in the game. According to TSN, Williams is 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings in four postseason games this season.

Halpin’s homer breaks the tie

The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when Chandler Simpson hit a two-run triple. However, the Guardians responded in the fifth. Patrick Bailey started the inning with a single, and Petey Halpin hit a two-run homer off Rays pitcher Griffin Jax to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead.

According to TSN, Halpin connected on an elevated 95.9 mph sinker on a 2-2 count, driving the ball 385 feet into the stands in right-center. It was Halpin’s first postseason home run and only the fifth of his two-year big league career. Nathaniel Lowe also contributed for Cleveland with an RBI double in the second inning.

Bullpen secures the victory

Cleveland’s bullpen held the lead for the final four innings. Daniel Espino, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith allowed only one baserunner during that stretch. Cade Smith, the closer from Abbotsford, B.C., entered the eighth inning with two outs and the tying run at third base. He struck out Yandy Díaz in a 10-pitch at-bat and then retired the side in order in the ninth inning for the save.

Rays pitcher Griffin Jax allowed three runs, five hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. Tampa Bay batters struck out 13 times in the game, after combining for 14 strikeouts in the first two games of the series.

Why it matters

The Guardians have won five of their last six playoff games since trailing the Chicago White Sox 2-0 in their AL Division Series. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday, though rain is forecast, leading to discussions among MLB officials about a potential delay. The Rays plan to start Nick Martinez, while the Guardians have not yet committed to a starter.

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Sources

• sportsnet.ca: Gavin Williams shoves again as Guardians take ALCS lead over Rays - Sportsnet.ca
• tsn.ca: Petey Halpin’s go-ahead homer flips Game 3 as Cleveland Guardians beat Tampa Bay Rays for ALCS lead

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.