Rays fall short in ALCS Game 3 as Guardians rally against Griffin Jax

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Oct 15, 2026

Published in Baseball

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CLEVELAND — Going into this American League Championship Series, both managers talked about how they expected an even, challenging and back-and-forth affair.

So far, that’s what they’ve gotten.

The Guardians won Game 3 on Thursday afternoon at Progressive Field, 3-2, after taking Monday’s opener at Tropicana Field and the Rays winning Game 2.

The Guardians now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is slated for Friday evening, though an ominous forecast for rain all day and night could lead to a shuffling of the schedule.

Staying on brand, Thursday’s game also featured a series of lead changes.

The Guardians struck first when Tampa Bay starter Griffin Jax walked Jo Adell to open the second inning then gave up a double to Nathaniel Lowe, the former Rays first baseman who also had a key hit in Monday’s opener.

After going down nine straight to start the game against Guardians right-handed ace Gavin Williams, the Rays staged something of a rally in the fourth.

Yandy Diaz led off with a double, then after two strikeouts Victor Mesa Jr. drew a walk and shouted some encouragement toward the dugout.

Chandler Simpson, who got word Wednesday his hard work in left field paid off by being named a finalist for the American League Gold Glove award, came through with a huge hit.

Down 0-2, Simpson took one Williams sweeper for a ball then slashed the next one down the right-field line. Third base coach Brady Williams sent both Diaz and Mesa home, and Simpson easily reached third.

Tampa Bay’s 2-1 lead didn’t last long.

Patrick Bailey opened the fifth by bouncing a ball over the mound that Jax tried unsuccessfully to grab and make a play on rather than follow the rules that apply to the infielders, which is to let shortstop Taylor Walls make the play.

Worse, Jax left a 2-2 sinker to Petey Halpin over the middle of the plate, and the rookie outfielder delivered a 385-foot homer to right-center, then tossed his bat high in the air to celebrate.

The Rays had another chance in the eighth when Richie Palacios doubled with one out off reliever Hunter Gaddis. A Walls groundout moved pinch-runner Jorge Mateo to third.

The Guardians summoned closer Cade Smith, and he prevailed in a 10-pitch battle with Diaz, striking him out to end the eighth.

Offense was an issue for the Rays, most notably with Junior Caminero going 0 for 4 with four strikeouts.

Major League Baseball officials were said to be discussing the weather situation.

If Friday’s game is postponed, the typical adjustment would be to play Game 4 on Saturday and then Game 5 on Sunday in Cleveland. That would eliminate the scheduled off/travel day ahead of a potential Game 6 at Tropicana Field, which would still be played on Monday and, if needed, Game 7 on Tuesday.