Rays take 3-0 lead in the ALCS
— Kevin Kiermaier and the Tampa
San Diego Bay Rays — with big assists from two former Padres who know Petco Park's outfield well — are one win from the second World Series berth in franchise history.
Joey Wendle hit a go-ahead, two-run single two batters after another critical error by José Altuve, and the Rays beat the Houston Astros 5-2 on Tuesday night for a 3-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Kiermaier, a three-time Gold Glove winner in center field, saved multiple runs for the Rays with two outstanding catches before leaving with a hand injury. Hunter Renfroe, acquired from the San Diego Padres last December, made a pair of terrific grabs in right.
"We've played just tremendous defense all season long," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "It's a credit to the guys how hard they work at it."
Kiermaier, the longest-tenured Tampa Bay player, said it was "an amazing feeling" to be so close to going to the Fall Classic.
"I knew that this group would be capable of getting to this point. I had no doubt in my mind," the 30-year-old Kiermaier said, praising everyone from the front office to the coaches to the players. "This is what it's all about. I'm so proud to be a part of this and have so much fun with these guys."
Tampa Bay reached the World Series in 2008 but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.
The innovative Rays had one of baseball's lowest payrolls during the pandemic-shortened season and still finished with the AL's best record at 40-20.
It seems a different player comes up big every night, whether it's an unsung hitter or reliever — sometimes both. They've also played spectacular defense.
The Astros got into the postseason with a 2931 record before going 5-1 to reach the ALCS. But they've looked nothing like the team that won the AL pennant two of the last three years and they remain villains to many for illegal sign stealing en route to the 2017 World Series title.
Houston fell apart in the sixth, when the Rays sent 11 batters to the plate and scored five runs on four hits, two hit batters and Altuve's error at second base. One of the runs was unearned.
Losing pitcher José Urquidy held Tampa Bay to two singles through five scoreless innings before Randy Arozarena singled leading off the sixth.
Brandon Lowe hit a grounder to Altuve, who tried for a routine forceout but short-hopped the throw and it skipped past shortstop Carlos Correa into left field.