Cleveland baseball fans are stuck in heartbreak city for another year. The 78-year World Series drought for that proud franchise is still rolling after they couldn’t close out the Tampa Bay Rays, falling 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series Monday night. It’s rough, man.
Another One Slips Away
Seems like Cleveland had this thing locked down after going up two games to one in the best-of-seven ALCS, right? Nope. They blew it, losing three straight to Tampa Bay. The Rays just flat out outplayed them, showing clear superiority in their starting rotation, the bullpen, and especially with their bats late in the series. It was a brutal turnaround after what looked like a solid start for Cleveland.
How the Rays Shut it Down
Cleveland’s staff, which was straight fire with 27 strikeouts in the first three games, didn’t even get their first K in Game 6 until Daniel Espino finally fanned Victor Mesa Jr. in the fifth inning. By then, the Rays were already up 3-0, just grinding out runs like it’s their trademark. And get this: Cleveland led the AL with 41 comeback wins this season. But you could just tell the tank was empty by the end. They didn’t even hold a lead for the final 25 innings of the series!
Tampa Bay even got to Cleveland’s best relievers. Shawn Armstrong got hit in Game 4 and again in Game 6. And All-Star closer Cade Smith? Junior Caminero took Smith’s first-pitch splitter deep for a two-run bomb in the seventh, making it 5-1. Then Yandy Díaz added another two-run shot off Hunter Gaddis in the eighth for good measure, making it 7-3. Manager Stephen Vogt must be kicking himself. He used eight relievers in Game 6 instead of maybe bringing back ace Gavin Williams, who struck out nine in five innings back in Game 3, on short rest. Gotta wonder about that call, right?
So, the Rays are off to the Fall Classic, battling the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s gonna be a wild one, the first time since 1980 both teams are looking for their first World Series title. As for Cleveland? Well, they won the AL Central and even came back to beat the Chicago White Sox in their Division Series by winning three straight. But they’ve been to the World Series four times since ’48 and still couldn’t seal the deal. Another year, another wait for those fans.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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