Cleveland Guardians center fielder Petey Halpin hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, erasing a 2-1 deficit and producing the final runs in a 3-2 Guardians win. The homer, which came off a center cut sinker from Rays starter Griffin Jax, was followed by a bat flip that teammates said was unexpectedly impressive. Steven Kwan called the swing "a nasty one" and said the bat flip was "ignorant -- but in a good way."
Halpin's teammates described him as fearless and entertaining. Starter Gavin Williams said he "isn't afraid of anything," while first baseman Nathaniel Lowe called him "feisty" and "an entertainer." Halpin said he was looking for a fastball and was trying to get the head of the bat out, adding that Jax left the pitch over the plate. The homer came less than a month after another big blast of his that helped beat the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central race.
Pitching again carried Cleveland. Williams struck out nine over five innings, and the bullpen held the Rays scoreless after Chandler Simpson's two-run triple. Closer Cade Smith got four outs, including a hard-fought strikeout of leadoff man Yandy Diaz, who saw 10 pitches in the eighth inning. Manager Stephen Vogt praised Smith's efficiency.
The Guardians now lead the series 2-1. Their offense has leaned on different contributors each night this postseason, including Jose Ramirez, Chase De Lauter, Lowe and Jo Adell. Thursday, however, belonged to Halpin, who delivered the biggest moment of his young career.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing