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Guardians edge Rays to seize MLB playoff series lead / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Guardians edge Rays to seize MLB playoff series lead
Petey Halpin smashed a two-run home run to power Cleveland over Tampa Bay 3-2 on Thursday as the Guardians seized the lead in their Major League Baseball playoff series.
Halpin's fifth-inning blast produced the final runs and he watched the ball soar into the right-field stands then flipped his bat high into the air in celebration.
"I think I blacked out. I'm not sure what I was doing to be completely honest," he said.
"Maybe a little too much but it was a good moment, it was exciting and I loved it."
The Guardians grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, with games four and five set for Cleveland on Friday and Saturday.
The Rays seek the first World Series crown in their 29-year history while Cleveland has not captured the title since 1948.
Either the Rays or Guardians will face the National League champion, the Milwaukee Brewers or Los Angeles Dodgers, in the World Series starting October 23.
Milwaukee can complete a sweep of the defending champions in a later game at Los Angeles.
Cleveland seized the lead in the second inning when Jo Adell walked and scored on Nathaniel Lowe's double to right field.
Tampa Bay answered in the fourth when Yandy Diaz doubled, Victor Mesa was walked with two outs and Chandler Simpson smacked a two-run triple into the right-field corner.
Cleveland pitcher Gavin Williams struck out nine while allowing only those two hits over the first five innings.
The Guardians tagged Tampa Bay starting pitcher Griffin Jax in the fifth when Patrick Bailey singled just before Halpin's crucial blast.
"Just trust the work, trust the process, trust the guys around you and keep working," Halpin said.
The Rays put the tying run in scoring position in the eighth when Tampa Bay's Richie Palacios doubled down the right-field line and was replaced by pinch-runner Jorge Mateo, who took third on a Taylor Walls ground out.
Cleveland inserted relief pitcher Cade Smith and the ace Canadian closer, who shared the MLB season saves lead with 41, struck out Diaz to end the inning.
In the ninth, Smith retired the Rays in order to complete the victory.
"Cade Smith is the man," Halpin said. "He shuts them down."
A. Lefebvre--BTZ
