Freddy Peralta Dominates With 99 MPH Fastball as Rays Even ALCS

Freddy Peralta threw six scoreless innings and reached a career-high 99.4 mph to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

Freddy Peralta pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night, evening the American League Championship Series at 1-1. Peralta allowed four hits and two walks while striking out six batters at St. Petersburg. The Rays offense capitalized on a fourth-inning error by third baseman Jose Ramirez, which allowed three unearned runs to score.

Peralta relied heavily on his fastball, throwing the pitch for 72% of his total deliveries. He averaged a career-high 96.9 mph, which was 2.5 mph above his season average, and clocked his hardest career pitch at 99.4 mph. The Guardians managed just three singles in 17 at-bats against the fastball. In a critical fifth-inning sequence with two runners on, Peralta retired Jo Adell on a lineout to center field following two 99 mph heaters.

Acquired from the New York Mets in early August, Peralta has posted a 0.81 ERA over his last eight starts. Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder attributed the increased velocity to mechanical adjustments, including working from the stretch and utilizing a 3D training belt to improve movement speed. Prior to the trade, Peralta had struggled in New York with a 4.99 ERA.