DeLauter, Guardians rally to steal ALCS opener from Rasmussen, Rays

Cleveland Guardians players celebrate after beating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Photo by Gary Bogdon/UPI

Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Chase DeLauter homered against a previously unblemished Drew Rasmussen to spark a Cleveland Guardians comeback in the 2026 American League Championship Series opener.

Rasmussen, the Tampa Bay Rays' ace, carried a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning Monday in St. Petersburg, Fla. DeLauter and the Guardians proceeded to score seven times -- with runs in each of the final four innings of the 7-3 triumph at Tropicana Field.

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"It was a special night for the guys," DeLauter said on the MLB Network broadcast. "Our whole goal was to come in here and play our brand of baseball and just see what can happen.

"Couldn't do it with a better group of guys."

The Guardians -- who are now on a four-game winning streak -- outhit the Rays 14-7. Their bullpen surrendered just two hits and one run, with five strikeouts and two walks, over the final five innings.

Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Photo by Gary Bogdon/UPI

They will look to steal another road victory from the Rays in Game 2 of the best-of-seven game series Tuesday in St. Petersburg.

"We know what's at stake," DeLauter said. "We know what kinda baseball this is, but if we can play our own baseball and not try to do too much, I think we'll put up some good games."

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (L) and second baseman Travis Bazzana celebrate after beating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Photo by Gary Bogdon/UPI

DeLauter went 3 for 4, with three runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey matched the right fielder's solo shot with a game-tying edition in the next inning.

First baseman Nathaniel Lowe smacked a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth. Designated hitter Jo Adell and third baseman Jose Ramirez, who recored three hits, and also plated runs for the Guardians.

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (L) scores on a two-run single from Nathaniel Lowe against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Photo by Gary Bogdon/UPI

"Hitting a couple balls out of the yard made it a new game," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told reporters at his postgame news conference.

Rasmussen, a Cy Young Award candidate, allowed six hits through the first four innings, including multiple singles in each of the first two, but did not surrender a run in that span. Meanwhile, the Rays elated the home crowd with RBI singles from third baseman Junior Caminero and outfielder Jonny DeLuca in the first frame.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen throws against the Cleveland Guardians in the third inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Photo by Gary Bogdon/UPI

Rasmussen appeared to calm in the fifth, striking out two of the three batters he faced. But he left a fastball near the middle of the strike zone on his first pitch of the sixth. DeLauter pounced on the offering, sending it 381 feet to left field to cut the Guardians deficit in half.

The Rays threatened with two base runners in the bottom of the inning, but couldn't score for an immediate response. Bailey delivered his game-tying blow -- a 436-foot homer -- off Rasmussen's first pitch of the seventh.

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Foster Griffin throws against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Photo by Gary Bogdon/UPI

Lowe locked in on an 0-2 fastball from relief pitcher Ian Seymour in the eighth for his go-ahead, two-run single and the Guardians didn't trail again.

Center fielder Cedric Mullins hit a 384-foot solo homer in the bottom of the inning for the Rays' final run. Ramirez plated outfielder Angel Martinez with his RBI single in the ninth. Adell brought in Ramirez and DeLauter with a two-run double two at-bats later for the final scores of the series opener.

Rasmussen allowed eight hits and two runs over six innings. He issued seven strikeouts, with no walks. Guardians starter Foster Griffin allowed five hits and two runs, with three strikeouts and no walks, over four innings.

Ramirez went 3 for 5 for the Guardians. Lowe and Bailey recorded two hits apiece. DeLuca and designated hitter Yandy Diaz also two hits each for the Rays.

Earlier Monday, the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4 in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. The Brewers now hold a 2-0 lead in that best-of-seven game series.

First pitch for Game 2 of the ALCS is set for 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday in St. Petersburg. The Guardians will host Game 3 at 6 p.m. Thursday in Cleveland.

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