Kevin Cash expects the Tampa Bay Rays to respond after their first loss in 16 days. The manager delivered that message after Cleveland beat Tampa Bay 7-3 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night at Tropicana Field.
The defeat ended a lengthy winning stretch for the Rays, who entered the ALCS after sweeping the New York Yankees in three games in the American League Division Series. Tampa Bay had also finished the regular season with a 98-64 record, earning the American League’s top seed.
Despite taking an early lead against Cleveland, the Rays could not hold on as the Guardians rallied over the final four innings to claim the series opener.
Bass shared the manager’s message on X: “It’s been a while since we’ve lost. That’s a good thing. I know the guys will come back and respond tomorrow.”
The Rays led 2-0 early, but Cleveland gradually took control. Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey hit solo home runs to help the Guardians erase the deficit, while Nathaniel Lowe delivered a two-run single in the eighth inning to put Cleveland ahead for good. The Guardians finished with 14 hits, compared with seven for Tampa Bay.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff will need to regroup quickly. Starter Drew Rasmussen allowed two runs over six-plus innings, but the bullpen could not preserve the lead as Cleveland scored seven runs across the final four innings. The Rays had swept the Yankees in the previous round, making Monday’s defeat their first postseason loss of the year.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. The Rays will turn to Freddy Peralta, while Cleveland will start Parker Messick. Tampa Bay needs a win to even the best-of-seven series before it shifts to Cleveland for Game 3.
Cash’s message reflects the immediate challenge facing his team. The Rays have already shown they can string together wins, but they must now respond to a postseason loss against a Guardians team that rallied late in the opener.
