ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Freddy Peralta put up a tough performance over 5 ¹/₃ innings, and with two-run homers from Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz, the Rays triumphed over the Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday, securing a spot in the World Series for just the third time in the franchise’s 29-year history.
They’ll be up against the Brewers in what’s notable as both teams strive for their first World Series title since 1980, when the Phillies came out on top over the Royals.
Game 1 will take place this Friday evening in Milwaukee.
“We got one more bite!” declared Rays manager Kevin Cash to the team as celebrations erupted in the clubhouse.
This loss means that Cleveland’s wait for a World Series championship now stretches to 78 years.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our group,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt shared, expressing his disappointment. “It just hurts. It stings. We really felt like we had a team capable of going far, but we just couldn’t get there.”
Marking 18 years since winning their first AL pennant back in 2008, the Rays took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to Richie Palacios’ two-run double, securing their victory with closer Bryan Baker on the mound.
The Guardians, however, kept fighting and had a chance to take the lead in the eighth inning when Kevin Kelly struck out Brayan Rocchio, leaving the bases loaded after two runs had crossed home plate.
Peralta, who was named ALCS MVP, allowed just one run and five hits, claiming his second win of the series in his third outing. He previously threw six scoreless innings for a win in Game 2 and also made two outs in relief in Game 4.
A crowd of 40,230 fans cheered, waving yellow-and-blue rally towels, ringing cowbells, and chanting “Let’s go Rays!” all night at Tropicana Field. The stadium, which required substantial repairs after Hurricane Milton damaged its roof two years ago, now stands ready to host this crucial series.
The Rays had to play their home games at the Yankees’ spring training facility last season but returned to the Trop this year, clinching 55 home wins — a number only matched by the Brewers this season.
“This is for you!” Caminero shouted into a microphone on the field after the victory. “Let’s go! I can’t hear you!”
Following a sweep against the Yankees in the Division Series, the Rays found themselves down in this series, trailing 0-1 and 1-2, but rallied to take three consecutive games.
Caminero added some cushion to Tampa Bay’s lead by hitting his first postseason homer in the seventh inning, launching a drive off the left-field foul pole to give the Rays a 5-1 advantage — notably becoming the first player to hit a home run off All-Star closer Cade Smith’s splitter.
After a celebratory moment where Caminero looked toward his dugout and slapped his chest, he showed off his excitement as he rounded the bases, asking the crowd for more cheers before crossing home plate.
Though Caminero hit 42 homers in the regular season, it took him 33 at-bats to notch his first in October.
Late in the game, the Guardians responded against pitchers Tyler Wells and Ian Seymour, loading the bases with two singles and a walk. Seymour issued a walk to Patrick Bailey, resulting in one run, then hit Angel Martínez with a pitch to force in another run. Kelly came in and struck out Rocchio on three changeups.
“Credit to our guys. It’s a tough moment in the seventh. But our team came back strong,” Vogt said. “They never quit. They always fight. That’s just who they are.”
Díaz, who had confidently predicted a Game 6 victory through an interpreter, further extended the Rays’ lead with a two-run homer off Hunter Gaddis in the eighth.
Caminero started the scoring for Tampa Bay in the second inning with a single off opener Shawn Armstrong, who took the loss in his second start within three games. After a series of plays, Palacios’ double allowed the Rays to take a 2-0 lead.
Armstrong made history as the first pitcher to start a postseason game after pitching in both of the previous two days.
DeLuca’s sacrifice fly off Joey Cantillo pushed the score to 3-0 in the third, but the Rays missed an opportunity to extend their lead further despite loading the bases with no outs. In the sixth inning, Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI single finally put Cleveland on the scoreboard.
