Petey Halpin’s two-run homer leads Guardians to 3-2 win over Rays and 2-1 lead in ALCS
Cleveland.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Petey Halpin hit a two-run homer with the highest bat flip of the season, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the ALCS, giving Cleveland a 2-1 series lead.
- Gavin Williams pitched five strong innings for his second postseason win, and closer Cade Smith secured the save by retiring the final four batters, including a key strikeout of Yandy Diaz with the tying run on third.
- The Guardians took an early lead but fell behind 2-1 before Halpin’s homer in the fifth inning put them ahead for good, marking their first time being two wins away from the World Series since 2016.
- Game 4 is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at Progressive Field, with starting pitchers yet to be announced; the game will be televised on multiple networks including TBS and HBO Max.
- Despite a weather-related time change to an afternoon start, over 30,000 fans attended Game 3, creating an energetic atmosphere that the team and manager Stephen Vogt praised.
