By: BHS Sports Staff
October 22, 2026
And, the 74-year drought continues…unfortunately!
The Cleveland Guardians 2026 postseason run came to a tough end on Monday night, as they fell 7–3 to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.
The deciding game was played at Tropicana Field, and the Rays continued to capitalize on early-inning scoring to build a lead. Cleveland opted for a unique pitching strategy, starting reliever Shawn Armstrong on the mound. After a scoreless first inning, Tampa Bay broke through in the bottom of the second when former Guardian Richie Palacios delivered a two-run double off another reliever, Tim Herrin. The Rays extended their lead in the third inning after speedy Chandler Simpson’s bunt single loaded the bases, setting up a Jonny DeLuca sacrifice fly to push Cleveland behind 3–0.
Rays starter Freddy Peralta kept the Guardians’ offense off-balance through the middle frames, holding Cleveland to one run (a Nathaniel Lowe RBI single) over 5.1 innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Rays third baseman Junior Caminero launched a home run off of Joey Cantillo, stretching Tampa Bay’s lead to 5–1 and keeping the crowd at Tropicana Field energized.
Trailing 5–1 in the top of the eighth, Cleveland staged a dramatic two-out rally. The Guardians loaded the bases, and Patrick Bailey worked an RBI walk to draw Cleveland to within two runs at 5–2. A hit-by-pitch to the next batter Angel Martínez cut the deficit to two runs. With the bases still juiced, Rays reliever Kevin Kelly struck out Brayan Rocchio on three pitches to end the threat. In the bottom half of the frame, Rays slugger (and former Indian) Yandy Díaz crushed a 416-foot, two-run home run off of Hunter Gaddis to reclaim their four-run cushion at 7–3.
Tampa Bay closer Bryan Baker took the mound in the ninth inning and retired the Guardians in order to wrap up the 7–3 victory and securing the American League pennant, sending the Rays to Milwaukee for the World Series.
Despite the outcome, fans across Cleveland celebrated the Guardian’ remarkable postseason push. Local storefronts and neighborhood streets remained filled with Guardians’ colors and fans rallying around the team.
With a young roster, the Guardians capped off a memorable season that will ultimately set up high-expectations for the 2027 campaign, barring a potential MLB lockout.
Though the season ended two wins shy of the World Series, the Guardians gave Cleveland fans an unforgettable October.
Forever and always, Go Guards!
Below is the October schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.
- October 23: Football vs. Independence
Go Canes!
{For up-to-date events and schedules, please visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}
