Rays Beat Guardians to Reach World Series, Box Score Stats, Highlights, Updated MLB Playoff Bracket

The Tampa Bay Rays are on their way to their third World Series in franchise history.

The Rays downed the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship on Monday to advance to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2020.

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The Rays struck first, getting on the board in the bottom of the second when Richie Palacios hit a double to right field that drove in Victor Mesa Jr. and Chandler Simpson.

Jonny DeLuca made it a three-run lead for the Rays in the third when he hit a sac fly to drive in Junior Caminero.

The Guardians finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning thanks to an RBI single from Nathaniel Lowe.

Cleveland was still within striking distance in the bottom of the seventh inning, but that all changed in one swing from Caminero. He drilled a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole to give Tampa Bay a 5-1 lead in what was the biggest moment of his young career so far.

But after the momentum from Caminero's homer, things started to unravel for the Rays.

The Guardians loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth after a pair of singles and a walk, and Patrick Bailey drew a walk to score a run. Ian Seymour then hit Angel Martinez to score another run and bring Cleveland within two runs.

The Rays brought on Kevin Kelly to get out of the jam, and he did just that, striking out Brayan Rocchio to end the inning.

After giving up two runs in the top of the eighth, Tampa Bay got them right back in the bottom of the eighth. Yandy Diaz hit a two-run homer to make it 7-3 and just about seal the win for the Rays.

Closer Bryan Baker came on for the Rays in the top of the ninth and secured the win after setting the Guardians down in order.

Tampa Bay, which has yet to win a World Series, now gets a date with the Milwaukee Brewers, starting with Game 1 on Friday.