Halpin Home Run Helps Guardians Take 2-1 ALCS Lead Over Rays

Petey Halpin hit a 385-foot two-run home run in the fifth inning to secure a 3-2 victory for Cleveland in Game 3.

The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Thursday to take a 2-1 lead in the American League Championship Series. Petey Halpin provided the winning margin in the fifth inning, hitting a two-run home run off an elevated 95.9 mph sinker from Griffin Jax. The 385-foot blast to right-center followed a leadoff reach by Patrick Bailey, who reached on a chop that Jax failed to field cleanly. This was Halpin’s first career postseason home run and the first homer allowed by Jax since Sept. 9.

Gavin Williams earned the win, striking out nine batters while allowing two runs and one walk over five innings. Williams improved his postseason record to 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA across 16 2/3 innings this year. The Cleveland bullpen—composed of Daniel Espino, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, and Cade Smith—limited Tampa Bay to a single baserunner over the final four frames. Smith secured the save by striking out Yandy Diaz to end a 10-pitch at-bat in the eighth and pitching a perfect ninth.

Tampa Bay took an initial lead in the fourth inning on a two-run triple by Chandler Simpson. However, the Rays' offense struggled elsewhere as Junior Caminero struck out four times and the team combined for 13 total strikeouts. Jose Ramirez recorded two hits and Nathaniel Lowe tallied one RBI for the Guardians, who have now won five of their last six playoff contests. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday, though weather forecasts indicate potential rain.