Rays beat Guardians 7-3 in Game 4 to tie ALCS at two games apiece
Tampa Bay overcame Cleveland’s early pitching and pulled level in the series before Sunday’s Game 5 in Cleveland.
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday, October 17, in Cleveland, tying the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Sunday’s Game 5, also in Cleveland, now begins a best-of-three contest for a place in the World Series.
How Tampa Bay won Game 4
Cleveland got a scoreless first inning from opener Shawn Armstrong. Foster Griffin followed and allowed one run in three and two-thirds innings; the two pitchers combined for five strikeouts, according to SB Nation’s Quincy Wheeler. Cleveland’s later pitchers struggled: Daniel Espino walked two batters, and Tim Herrin, Slade Cecconi and Matt Festa each allowed runs.
CBS Sports reported that Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Díaz led Tampa Bay’s offense. It said Nick Martinez gave the Rays a strong start before their bullpen held down Cleveland’s hitters. Wheeler reported that Díaz homered off Festa, adding to Tampa Bay’s lead in the ninth inning.
Travis Bazzana homered and singled for the Guardians, Wheeler reported, but also made a fielding error. Chase DeLauter made an error as Cleveland’s defense faltered. The Rays’ seven runs marked a sharp change from Thursday’s Game 3, when Cleveland had taken a 2-1 series lead with a 3-2 victory.
Game 5 schedule and World Series place
Friday’s scheduled Game 4 was postponed because of rain and played on Saturday. The teams are scheduled to meet again on Sunday, October 18, at 5 p.m. Eastern time in Cleveland, according to CBS Sports. Game 6 is scheduled for Monday, October 19, at Tampa Bay, with Game 7 there on Tuesday, October 20, if needed. No further off day is scheduled in the ALCS.
Sunday’s date was already set out in NewsJaws’ Game 5 schedule report. Saturday’s result changed the series position: each team now needs two wins to advance. CBS Sports reported that the ALCS winner will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who reached their first World Series since 1982 by sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. World Series Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, October 23.
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Sources and context
- Guardians Drop Game 4 to Even ALCSSB Nation (Quincy Wheeler; republished via Yahoo Sports)
- 2026 MLB playoff bracket, schedule, scores: Rays even ALCS vs. Guardians with Game 4 winCBS Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.