Rays reach World Series after Kelly halts Cleveland’s eighth-inning threat

The World Series will deliver a first championship for either Tampa Bay or Milwaukee. The Rays earned their chance with a 7–3 victory over Cleveland on Monday, October 19, after surviving an eighth inning in which the Guardians scored twice without a hit on either scoring play.

Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz supplied two-run home runs. Between those swings, Kevin Kelly supplied something less conspicuous but immediately necessary: three pitches that stopped Cleveland with every base occupied. Tampa Bay completed a four-games-to-two victory in the American League Championship Series, winning its last three games to advance. Field Level Media

Richie Palacios had opened the scoring with a two-run double in the second inning. Jonny DeLuca’s sacrifice fly—a caught fly ball that allowed a runner to score after the catch—added another run in the third. Starting pitcher Freddy Peralta allowed one run over five and one-third innings. Field Level Media

Caminero’s seventh-inning homer stretched the lead to 5–1. His first career postseason home run also carried a salute: at home plate, he folded his arms in a nod to former Rays slugger Randy Arozarena, who was watching from the crowd. Field Level Media

Cleveland’s next rally began with hits. Chase DeLauter reached on a single after a review overturned the initial decision at first base. Jo Adell then made the second out before Nathaniel Lowe singled. Ian Seymour replaced Tyler Wells on the mound and walked Travis Bazzana, putting a runner on each base. Cleveland still trailed 5–1. MLB play-by-play

Now the occupied bases changed the consequences of awarding another batter first base. When Patrick Bailey walked, each runner had to advance: first to second, second to third, third to home. DeLauter scored. Seymour’s next pitch hit Ángel Martínez, awarding him first and forcing Lowe home through the same chain of movement. Neither play produced an out, and the bases remained full. MLB scoring highlights

The sequence shows how the lead shrank while Tampa Bay remained one out from ending Cleveland’s turn:

The earlier singles helped create the threat; the walk and hit batter converted it into runs. Those are distinct parts of the rally, rather than a hitless inning. MLB scoring sequence

Kelly faced Rocchio with Bazzana at third, Ángel Genao—substituted to run for Bailey—at second and Martínez at first. Another walk or hit batter would have forced home another run. Instead, Kelly delivered a called strike followed by two swinging strikes, leaving all three runners stranded. MLB play-by-play

Tampa Bay answered in its half of the eighth. Díaz’s two-run homer restored the four-run cushion, and Bryan Baker retired Cleveland’s three batters in order in the ninth to finish the game. Field Level Media

The Rays now return to the World Series after unsuccessful appearances in 2008 and 2020. Milwaukee has also never won the championship. Their meeting opens at American Family Field in Milwaukee, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, October 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern.