Freddy Peralta's gem, José Ramírez's blunder lead Rays past Guardians to tie ALCS

After a Game 1 loss for their first defeat of the postseason, the Tampa Bay Rays needed a Game 2 hero to avoid digging an 0-2 hole at home.Freddy Peralta stepped up.The trade-deadline acquisition from the New York Mets, who has turned a corner since joining the Rays, delivered with six scoreless innings in a sensational start Tuesday. His effort anchored a 3-1 win for Tampa Bay in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.The win was aided by a blunder from seven-time Guardians All-Star José Ramírez, who's used to playing the hero for Cleveland. But on Tuesday, it was a fourth-inning error by Ramírez that allowed the Rays to take control with three unearned runs.With the victory, the Rays tied the ALCS 1-1. After a travel day Wednesday, the series shifts to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday.Freddy Peralta delivered in the clutch with six shutout innings Tuesday in Game 2.Mary DeCicco via Getty ImagesRamírez's error gets Tampa Bay's offense goingThe game went into the fourth inning in a scoreless tie as Peralta and Guardians rookie starter Parker Messick traded blows. But in the bottom of the frame, a heads-up challenge from the Rays and Ramírez's error opened the door for Tampa Bay.After Junior Caminero drew a walk, Victor Mesa Jr. hit into what was called a double play on the field for the would-be first and second outs of the inning. But the Rays correctly challenged that Nathaniel Lowe's foot wasn't on the bag, and the out at first base was overturned. This saved out proved critical.The Rays then put runners on the corners with two outs, and Ben Williamson hit a ground ball to third base that should have ended the inning. But Ramírez let the ball slip through his legs, allowing Williamson to reach safely, Chandler Simpson to advance to third and Mesa to score. The Rays are on the board after this costly error by José Ramírez at third basepic.twitter.com/H08DzK78jV— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 14, 2026 One pitch later, Liam Hicks scored Simpson from third and Williamson from second with a line drive to right-center field.The Rays strike first in Game 2 with a 3-run inning! pic.twitter.com/piFVhwbIIV— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2026 Just like that, the Rays had a 3-0 lead on three unearned runs. Those three runs turned out to be more than enough. Freddy Peralta delivers on promise of midseason tradeWhile Messick's line got hit with tough-luck runs, Peralta's remained pristine. He got through five scoreless innings on 85 pitches, which allowed him to come back out for the sixth.After he secured the first two outs of the frame, chants of "Freddy, Freddy, Freddy" rung out in the Tropicana Field stands. Peralta responded with a swinging strikeout of Petey Halpin to close out the sixth inning and maintain the shutout.Freddy Peralta pounds his chest after completing 6 scoreless innings 😤 pic.twitter.com/NwJsrLfpjX— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2026 Peralta finished his day allowing 4 hits, 2 walks and 0 runs with 6 strikeouts and a chest pound as he walked off the mound. Tampa Bay's bullpen did the rest to ensure that his effort didn't go to waste. The high-stakes effort continued a remarkable turnaround for Peralta, who struggled along with many of his Mets teammates in the first half of the season but has gotten back on track in Tampa.In 22 starts with the Mets, Peralta posted a 4.99 ERA and 1.478 WHIP. This was one season removed from a 2025 All-Star campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers. Even so, the Rays acquired Peralta at the trade deadline to bolster their rotation for what they hoped would be a deep postseason run. He showed immediate improvement in Tampa and finished the season with a 3.25 ERA and 1.012 WHIP in 10 starts with his new team. On Tuesday, he delivered the exact type of postseason game the Rays were counting on when they acquired him.