The Cleveland Guardians hung on in the late innings to secure a huge 3-2 win in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gavin Williams paved the way with a strong outing, Petey Halpin hit a go-ahead homer in the fifth, and Cade Smith secured the save to help his team take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven affair.
Williams completed five innings and surrendered just a couple of runs on two hits and a walk. He struck out nine, but was removed at just 70 pitches.
Can we get a "GO GUARDS" in the chat? 📢#GuardsBall | #StandGuard pic.twitter.com/goFA4g2E1i
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 15, 2026
There were no reports of Williams being hurt, but his velocity was down a couple of miles in his last frame, so manager Stephen Vogt went the safe route and brought in his bullpen early. Thankfully for Cleveland, that unit is lights out and delivered four scoreless innings thanks to Daniel Espino, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, and Smith.
Griffin Jax, the Rays’ starter, was mostly solid for four innings, surrendering just one run entering the fifth. There, however, he conceded Halpin’s two-run blast that changed the outcome of the game.
The Guardians opened the scoring in the second. Jo Adell initially struck out to lead off the inning, but he challenged that call, and it was overturned. Eventually, he earned a walk and scored on Nathaniel Lowe’s double. It’s safe to say Cleveland enjoyed a lucky break with the way the ball bounced off the wall.
Early lead courtesy of our boy, Nathaniel Lowe.#GuardsBall | #StandGuard pic.twitter.com/TYsZmSdEmg
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 15, 2026
Tampa Bay flipped the score in the top of the fourth. Chandler Simpson hit a two-out, two-run triple that plated Yandy Diaz and Victor Mesa Jr. The game was 2-1 Rays at that point, but the Guardians didn’t panic.
In the fifth, Patrick Bailey opened things with a single and immediately scored on Halpin’s huge two-run shot. It was one of the most majestic moments in recent Progressive Field history:
PETER.#GuardsBall | #StandGuard pic.twitter.com/bFL2L7mpaK
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 15, 2026
The bullpens, from that moment forward, shut down the offenses, and the game finished at 3-2. Smith was called upon in the bottom of the eighth with two outs, and ended up completing the four-out save with an uneventful ninth. He said he was ready for anything that might come his way, and he delivered once again.
Jose Ramirez was on base three times, two via hits and one via walk. He also stole a base. Halpin drove in two with his clutch homer, and Lowe doubled and notched an RBI.
The series will continue on Friday at 6:00 pm ET at Progressive Field. The Guardians are two wins away from the World Series.
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