'160 km/h Peralta erases 6 innings → Errors helped' Tampa Bay beats Cleveland, series tied... Heads to the road with a 1-1 record [MLB ALCS]

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Freddy Peralta's dominant pitching saved his team. The Tampa Bay Rays evened the series at 1-1 at home before heading to the road.

Tampa Bay defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 2 of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) American League Championship Series (ALCS, best-of-seven series) on the 14th (Korean time) at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.

Tampa Bay, which had lost to Cleveland 3-7 the previous day, evened the series record thanks to Peralta's strong pitching and is now heading to the road.

Tampa Bay starting pitcher Freddy Peralta became the star of the victory with a dominant performance of 6 innings pitched, 4 hits allowed, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, and no earned runs. Additionally, Peralta became the second pitcher in Tampa Bay history to record a quality start (at least 6 innings pitched, 3 or fewer earned runs) in the ALCS or later rounds since Scott Kazmir in 2008.

Peralta's dominant pitching saved his team. Peralta threw 99 pitches over 6 innings, shutting down the Cleveland lineup with 4 hits allowed, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, and no earned runs, based on a terrifying fastball that reached a top speed of 99.4 mph (approximately 160 km/h). He was so confident in his fastballs that he threw 71 of them. His pitches were even faster than during the regular season.

Peralta erased the first inning in just seven pitches. In the second inning, despite allowing a runner to reach second base on a hit and a wild pitch, he recorded three strikeouts to eliminate the threat. He also pitched steadily through the third and fourth innings, and the Tampa Bay lineup lightened Peralta's burden in the bottom of the fourth.

With the teams tied 0-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Cleveland started with a walk by Junior Caminero, but ended up with two outs and a runner on first base without advancing due to an infield grounder and a strikeout, when luck struck. After Chandler Simpson reached on an infield hit, Ben Williamson's ground ball toward third base seemed like it would end the inning.

However, Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez dropped the ball behind him, and Mesa Junior, who had taken a quick start, passed third base and slid home.

Following this, Liam Hicks' decisive hit to center field brought in both runners from second and third bases. The score became 3-0 in an instant. For Cleveland, it was a painful three-run concession in a situation where they did not have to give up any runs at all. All three of Pake Mechi's runs allowed were recorded as unearned.

Peralta's strong pitching continued. After securing the win condition by getting through the fifth inning, Peralta completed his perfect six innings by striking out Pete Halpin in the sixth.

Kevin Kelly, who took the mound after Peralta left, allowed one walk and one hit each in the top of the seventh inning. Ian Seymour came on with two outs and runners on first and second bases, allowing a double and giving up one run, but then pitched scoreless through the eighth inning before handing the ball to Brian Baker in the ninth.

Baker struck out the first batter, Patrick Bailey, and then retired three batters in just eight pitches to secure the victory for his team.

Game 3 will be held on the 16th at Progressive Field, Cleveland's home ground.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original