Nathaniel Lowe snapped an eighth-inning tie with a two-run single after Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey homered off Drew Rasmussen, and the Cleveland Guardians rallied past the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night.Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca had RBI singles in the first and Cedric Mullins hit a solo homer for the Rays, who never trailed in a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees in their AL Division Series.“It’s been a while since we lost, so I think that’s a good thing, and I know the guys will come back and respond tomorrow,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said.Game 2 is Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.Rookie left-hander Parker Messick starts for Cleveland, and right-hander Freddy Peralta takes the mound for the Rays.Five relievers combined for five innings of one-run, two-hit ball for the Guardians, who became only the 11th team to overcome an 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series with a victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.Cade Smith, who pitched in all five games against Chicago, tossed a perfect ninth.“Obviously we came off an emotional series, had a quick turnaround.
But these guys come ready to play every day.Couldn’t be more proud of them,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said.
“We got punched early.And our pitching staff, credit to them, for stopping it and keeping us in the game as long as they did.
And the offense came alive.”Rasmussen took a 2-0 lead into the sixth before DeLauter led off with an opposite-field homer to left center.Bailey started the seventh with a towering shot to center that went a projected 436 feet, ending Rasmussen’s night.Rasmussen took a no-hitter into the eighth in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees.José Ramírez opened the eighth with an infield single off Tyler Wells, and DeLauter ripped a double to right.
After Wells retired Jo Adell on a grounder to second, Ian Seymour entered.Lowe lined an 0-2 pitch up the middle ...