Rays beat Guardians 7-3 to tie ALCS at 2‑2

Jonathan Aranda’s seventh‑inning RBI and Yandy Díaz’s ninth‑inning homer powered Tampa Bay’s road win.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 18 Oct 2026 05:48:24 GMT

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Saturday night, evening the American League Championship Series at two games apiece.

What happened

In the seventh inning, a misplay by Guardians right‑fielder Chase DeLauter allowed Jonathan Aranda’s single to reach the wall, producing two runs. The Rays added another two‑run blast in the top of the ninth when Yandy Díaz hit a home run, sealing the victory. Pitcher Nick Martinez worked 5 1/3 innings for his first postseason win, while the Guardians’ offense was limited to three runs.

What the reports add

According to the Associated Press, the Rays’ win came after a 5‑1/3‑inning effort by Martinez, and the game marked the series’ first road win for Tampa Bay since Game 2. Bleacher Report noted that the Rays entered the game as 1.5‑point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook and highlighted that the ninth‑inning homer was a go‑ahead, two‑run shot by Díaz. Both outlets agree the series now stands 2‑2 and that Game 5 will be played in Cleveland on Sunday, with the series shifting back to St. Petersburg on Monday.

What was said

"Jonathan Aranda’s single led to two runs in the seventh inning when the ball got by right‑fielder Chase DeLauter," the AP wrote.

Bleacher Report reported that "a go‑ahead, two‑run homer from Yandy Díaz in the top of the ninth, paired with a two‑RBI play from Jonathan Aranda in the seventh following a fielding error, sealed the win for the Rays."

How it came about

The series opened with Cleveland winning Game 1, as covered in Felo’s Game 1 recap. The Rays answered with a win in Game 2, and the Guardians reclaimed the lead in Game 3 after a rain‑adjusted start time, detailed in Felo’s Game 3 rain‑delay article. Heading into Game 4, Felo reported that Shawn Armstrong was slated to start for Cleveland while Nick Martinez took the mound for Tampa Bay. The Rays’ road victory in Game 4 now forces a decisive Game 5.

Key facts

The Rays defeated the Guardians 7-3. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Jonathan Aranda’s seventh‑inning RBI followed a fielding error by Chase DeLauter. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Yandy Díaz hit a two‑run homer in the ninth inning. (bleacherreport.com)
Nick Martinez earned his first postseason win, pitching 5 1/3 innings. (winnipegfreepress.com)
The series is now tied 2‑2 with Game 5 scheduled for Sunday in Cleveland. (bleacherreport.com)