Rays capitalize on Guardians errors to bounce back, even ALCS

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash wasn't concerned about the struggles of his top four hitters through the first three games of the AL Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians.

Cash's confidence in the top of the lineup paid off Saturday night as the Rays evened the series at 2-2.

Jonathan Aranda's single led to two runs in the seventh inning when the ball got by right fielder Chase DeLauter and helped propel Tampa Bay to a 7-3 victory.

The first four hitters in the Rays order — Yandy Diaz, Aranda, Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminero — had six of their 11 hits and drove in six runs after they went 7 for 41 with three RBIs during the first three ALCS games.

"A lot of really good at-bats. A lot of hard hits," Cash said. "But overall, just happy that Junior squared some balls up, Aranda came through in a big way for us and then Yandy there at the end with a add-on homer."

Junior Caminero with the go-ahead knock in Cleveland! https://t.co/cLfClTXS7F

The best-of-seven matchup became a best-of-three. Game 5 is Sunday in Cleveland before the series shifts back to St. Petersburg, Florida, on Monday. There is no off day for travel after Friday's game was postponed by rain.

"It was a big bounce-back game. It feels good, but we're going to take it one game at a time and not look ahead. But we're glad to be going back home after that," Simpson said.

Aranda had three hits and drove in two runs, Diaz had two hits and two RBIs, including a two-run homer in the ninth off Matt Festa, while Simpson and Caminero each drove in a run.

"It was just a matter of time to get going. We can use this going forward," Aranda said through translator Kevin Vera.

Tampa Bay took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Caminero lined a double to the