sports
Guardians rally past Rays 7–3 to take ALCS opener
Nathaniel Lowe’s eighth-inning single breaks the tie as Cleveland takes a 1–0 series lead; Game 2 follows Tuesday night.
By NewsCubby Editorial Desk · Published
The Cleveland Guardians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7–3 in St. Petersburg on Monday night, October 12, taking the first game of the American League Championship Series.
Cleveland erased an early 2–0 deficit before Nathaniel Lowe’s two-run single in the eighth inning put the visitors ahead. Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey had already hit home runs to bring the Guardians level.
How the late rally changed the opener
José Ramírez opened the eighth with an infield single, and DeLauter followed with a double. Lowe then drove both runners home. Cleveland added three runs in the ninth, while its bullpen kept the Rays within reach after the early deficit.
Ramírez and DeLauter each finished with three hits, according to Field Level Media’s recap. The Associated Press, carried by NBC News, independently reports the 7–3 result and the decisive eighth-inning play.
What comes next
The win gives Cleveland a 1–0 lead in a best-of-seven series, rather than a place in the World Series. Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. AP reports that Parker Messick is due to start for Cleveland opposite Tampa Bay’s Freddy Peralta. Check the teams’ latest lineup information before the game for changes.
Reporting and photo credits
Original NewsCubby summary based on Field Level Media’s October 12 recap and The Associated Press report published by NBC News on October 13. Full reporting links appear below.
Social photograph: José Ramírez playing third base against Toronto at Progressive Field on May 7, 2022. Erik Drost / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. This is an illustrative file photo, not Monday’s ALCS game. Cropped with an AI-assisted headline layout; source and license links below. No endorsement is implied.