Wednesday, 4 a.m.
For the Tampa Bay Rays, the pitching was back. Freddy Peralta continued to show that he's a different hurler than he was with the New York Mets.
Also, for the defense was back. The Rays played flawless defense to stop the Cleveland Guardians, who looked relentless a night earlier.
Did anyone mention the bullpen? It was back, too. One night after giving up five runs, the pen gave up just two hits and no runs. Closer Bryan Baker earned his fourth save of the post-season.
Then there is the offense. No, it isn't quite back yet. The Rays had just seven hits and scored three unearned runs in a 3-1 victory over the Guardians. The Rays haven't hit the ball in their five post-season games.
Think about it. In the regular season, Yandy Diaz was hitting .293; in the post-season, he's hitting .238. Jonathan Aranda was hitting .274; in the post-season, he's hitting .232. In the regular season, Junior Caminero had 42 home runs. In the regular season, Chandler Simpson hit .306; in the post-season, he's hitting .167.
Yet, pitching performances such as Pelalta's can make it stand up.
Peralta allowed just four hits in his six innings and struck out six.
He took a lead in the fourth when Jose Ramirez committed an error at third, allowing Victor Mesa to s score. It also put Chandler Simpson at third and Ben Williamson at second.
Liam Hicks followed with a two-run single to score both runners.
Cleveland's lone run came on a double to right by Chase DeLauter in the seventh.
Bryan Baker closed out the game on eight pitches in the ninth.
The Rays and Guardians continued on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Progressive Field. Griffin Jax will start for the Rays against Gavin Williams.