DeLauter’s homer, late surge lift Guardians past Rays 7-3 in ALCS Game 1

DeLauter sets the tone

Chase DeLauter homered and scored three runs as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 Monday night in Game 1 of the ALCS at Tropicana Field. Cleveland leads the series 1-0.

DeLauter's home run to left-center traveled 381 feet in the sixth inning, bringing Cleveland within 2-1. He later scored twice during Cleveland's late rally, on Nathaniel Lowe's two-run single in the eighth and on Jo Adell's two-run double in the ninth.

Rays build an early lead

Tampa Bay scored twice in the first inning. Junior Caminero's single to center brought Yandy Díaz home, and Jonny DeLuca followed with a single that scored Caminero and sent Victor Mesa Jr. to third.

The Rays' 2-0 lead held until Cleveland began its comeback. Patrick Bailey's 436-foot home run to center in the seventh inning tied the game at 2-2.

Cleveland pulls away late

The Guardians moved ahead in the eighth. Lowe's single to center scored José Ramírez and DeLauter, giving Cleveland a 4-2 advantage. Cedric Mullins answered for Tampa Bay with a 384-foot home run to right, cutting the margin to 4-3.

Cleveland added three runs in the ninth. Ramírez's single to left scored Angel Martínez after a Cleveland challenge overturned the call on the field. Adell then doubled to left, bringing home DeLauter and Ramírez for the final 7-3 score.

Pitching

Foster Griffin allowed five hits and two earned runs in four innings for Cleveland. Daniel Espino pitched one inning with three strikeouts, while Hunter Gaddis earned the win after one inning with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Erik Sabrowski recorded a hold despite allowing Mullins' homer, and Cade Smith pitched a hitless, scoreless ninth.

Drew Rasmussen allowed eight hits and two earned runs in six innings for Tampa Bay, with seven strikeouts. Tyler Wells took the loss after recording one out and allowing two earned runs. Cole Sulser allowed three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Attendance at Tropicana Field was 35,361.

Sources

ESPN