Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta celebrates the last out in the top of the fifth inning in Game 2 of an American League Championship Series baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in St. Petersburg, Fla. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
St. Petersburg, FL – Freddy Peralta lived up to his nickname of Fastball Freddy in shutting down the Cleveland Guardians for six innings as the Tampa Bay Rays evened the ALCS at a game apiece with a 3-1 victory.
Freddy Peralta threw an impressive six scoreless innings allowing just four hits while striking out four, walking two, and hit a batter. He threw a season high 99 pitches with 68 for strikes. He utilized his fastball for over 72-percent of his pitches at an average of 96.9 miles per hour, including a career high 99.4 mph fastball. Catcher Liam Hicks said the fastball use was not planned, rather the result of the swings. “Just based on the swings, based off the results, it’s like if we’re going to get beat, get beat with the best pitch.”
After the game, Peralta reflected that “it’s no secret that I trust my fastball and it’s my best pitch.” The Guardians lineup tested Peralta by putting a runner on base in each inning except the sixth, his final inning of work. “I think obviously that I was able to put zeros on the board, but also that I was able to get out some innings because they were very tough.” Peralta said. “They were taking a lot of good at-bats, and I was able to get out of the innings without any runs.”
Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt was impressed with Peralta’s fastball as well. “I thought his fastball was really good tonight…it was really good.” He said. “And he was hitting that top rail. We talked about we need to get him down, but he was hitting — putting it right above, right at the top rail. And when he’s doing that with the good ride and cross-fire extension he’s going to be tough. And landed enough change-ups and curveballs to keep us honest.”
Tampa Bay jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring three unearned runs off Guardians starter Parker Messick. Junior Caminero led off the inning with a walk but was erased on a fielders choice off the bat of Victor Mesa Jr. Initially, Mesa Jr. was called out at first, but the Rays challenged both the out at second (neighborhood play) and the out at first. After the review, Caminero was out at second and Mesa Jr. was ruled safe at first. Messick struck Jonny DeLuca out for the second out before allowing an infield single to Chandler Simpson and Mesa Jr. was able to advance to third.
Mesa Jr. advancing from first to third on the Chandler Simpson infield hit turned out to be a key moment in the game. With two out, Ben Williamson sent a groundball to third to the usually sure handed Jose Ramirez, However, Ramirez allowed the groundball to go through his legs allowing Mesa Jr to score the games first run while Simpson moved to third and Williamson pulled up into second. Liam Hicks followed with a 2-RBI single to right to score both Simpson and Williamson to put the Rays up 3-0.
Guardians starter Parker Messick worked five innings allowing three unearned runs on six hits while striking out three and walking two. Shawn Armstrong followed Messick to the mound and worked a scoreless 1.2-innings before turning the ball over to Tim Herrin with nobody on base and 2-out in the bottom of the seventh. Herrin retired Jonathan Aranda to end the inning. Slade Cecconi replaced Herrin to work the bottom of the eighth and retired the side in order.
The Guardians mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh. Kevin Kelly replaced Freddy Peralta and walked pinch hitter Patrick Bailey and allowed a one out single to Steven Kwan. After retiring Jose Ramirez for the second out, Kevin Cash went to his bullpen to get Ian Seymour to face the left handed Chase DeLauter. DeLauter doubled scoring Bailey to cut the lead to 3-1. With the tying run at second base, Seymour struck out Jo Adell to end the inning.
Ian Seymour remained in the game in the eighth inning with three left-handed batters due up. Seymour retired Nathaniel Lowe on a soft line drive to Richie Palacios and Travis Bazzana on a line drive to Taylor Walls. Stephan Vogt summoned switch hitter Angel Martinez to pinch hit for Petey Halpin. Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning.
Bryan Baker worked the ninth inning and retired the side in order to preserve the win for Freddy Peralta. It was his fourth save of the postseason, setting the Rays franchise record for most saves in a postseason.
Up Next:
The Rays will travel for Cleveland for the next three games starting Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. EST. Griffin Jax will make the start for the Rays, the Guardians have yet to announce their starter.
