Third baseman Jose Ramirez struggled defensively in St. Petersburg during a 3-1 Cleveland Guardians loss Tuesday night. The best-of-seven American League Championship Series is now tied at one game apiece.
Ramirez had two bad plays in a three-run Tampa Bay fourth inning. Those miscues led to three unearned runs. The outcome tied the series.
Earlier in the frame, Ramirez failed to cover third base on a ground ball. That mistake put Tampa Bay runners at second and third base. Ramirez then allowed a Ben Williamson grounder through his legs. The ball let the first run score.
Liam Hicks added a two-run single off starter Parker Messick. The hit made it 3-0 for the Rays. Messick pitched in his home state of Florida.
Messick lasted five innings on the mound in St. Petersburg. He allowed six hits, three unearned runs, and two walks. Messick also fanned three batters.
Rays starter Freddy Peralta earned the victory. Peralta worked six innings for the first time in his postseason career. He whiffed six batters. Peralta allowed four hits.
Cleveland scored its only run in the seventh inning. Outfielder Chase DeLauter drove in that run with a double. The offense managed nothing else.
Major league playoff series follow a set schedule format. Teams travel between both home cities to complete best-of-seven rounds. Home-field advantage shifts after the initial two contests.
The series now shifts to Cleveland for the next three matchups. Games three and four start at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Game five begins Saturday at 8 p.m. Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell will throw out the first pitch before game three, and Gavin Williams will start on the mound.
