Petey Halpin changed the script on Thursday. Then he threw the bat. The 24-year-old rookie outfielder, just over a year removed from making his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians, sparked a frenzy at Progressive Field in the afternoon when he hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. It was the first postseason home run of Halpin’s career, and he relished the moment. He returned from the batter’s box as the ball took its 385-foot route, admiring its flight path over the right-center wall. Meanwhile, fellow Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan could be seen jumping for joy, out of the dugout and up and down like a child on a pogo stick. Surrounded by a symphony of cheers, Halpin tossed the wood that he used to give Cleveland a one-run lead it ultimately never relinquished in a 3-2 victory. Collectively, Guardians pitchers racked up 13 strikeouts. They retired 15 of the last 16 Rays batters they faced. Right-handed closer Cade Smith recorded a four-out save as Cleveland took a 2-1 lead in the American League Championship Series. Game 3 was moved up five hours and instead began with a 1 p.m. ET first pitch, due to forecast rain in northeast Ohio. As a result, Thursday marked the earliest start for a League Championship Series game in the Eastern time zone since Game 5 of the 1988 National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. Making his fourth appearance this postseason, including his third in eight days, dating back to the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox, Guardians ace right-hander Gavin Wiliams picked up where he left off. The 2026 American League strikeout king racked up nine strikeouts in five innings. Although he allowed two runs in the fourth, that was the only frame in which he allowed hits. He was also responsible for just two of them, on a day in which he logged four 1-2-3 innings. However, Williams was pulled after the fifth. Even though he had only thrown 70 pitches, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt took into account his star pitcher’s entire workload. This story is being updated. Follow Yahoo Sports for game updates, highlights and more from Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Guardians and Rays. 07:42 PM UTCAndy BackstromCade Smith was called for a four-out save, and he delivered, notably striking out Junior Caminero in the top of a 1-2-3 ninth inning. In total, Guardians pitching accounted for 13 Ks against the Rays in Game 3. Petey Halpin’s two-run homer in the fifth lifted Cleveland to a 3-2 lead that it held the rest of the way. The Guardians lead the American League Championship Series 2-1. Thursday, October 15, 2026 07:30 pm UTC Andy Backstrom With the tying run at third base, Cleveland closer Cade Smith struck out Yandy Diaz to close out the Rays in the top of the eighth inning. Smith came in, potentially for a four-out save. It’s off to a good start. The Guardians remain ahead 3-2. Thursday, October 15, 2026 07:24 pm UTC Andy Backstrom Richie Palacios gave the Rays a much-needed spark in the top of the eighth inning, hitting a one-out double off the right field wall. Jorge Mateo came in as a pinch-hitter for Palacios. Mateo ran to third on a subsequent groundout. With two outs, Cleveland closer Cade Smith will face Yandy Díaz. Thursday, October 15, 2026 07:16 PM UTCAndy Backstrom In the seventh inning, Guardians left-hander Erik Sabrowski and Rays left-hander Steven Matz traded 1-2-3 frames. Matz hadn’t pitched in 19 days, since Sept. 26. 15, 2026 07:01 PM UTCAndy BackstromRight-handed reliever Tyler Wells has calmed things down since replacing Griffin Jax. He is responsible for four strikeouts in two innings of relief. It’s still a one-run game, going into the seventh. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:52 pm UTC Andy Backstrom Gavin Williams’ day is over. Williams allowed two hits, two earned runs and a walk in five innings. Along the way, he threw 70 pitches and racked up nine strikeouts. While Williams’ pitch count was relatively low, it’s important to note that Game 3 marked his third appearance in eight days. He closed Game 4 of the ALDS against the White Sox, then started Game 5 two days later. This afternoon, Stephen Vogt turned to another right-hander, Daniel Espino, in the top of the sixth. Espino pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:46 pm UTC Andy Backstrom Cleveland could not extend its lead after Petey Halpin’s epic home run. Brayan Rocchio was caught stealing. A single by José Ramírez was among the other two outs for the Guardians. By the way, Ramirez already extended his hitting streak to six games today. He is 2 for 2 with a walk in Game 3. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:42 pm UTC Andy Backstrom The Guardians began the bottom of the fifth inning with three straight hits, the last of which was a single by Brayan Rocchio. That offensive flurry abruptly ended Griffin Jax’s day on the mound. Rays manager Kevin Cash took the ball from Jax and fellow right-hander Tyler Wells was relieved. he.Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:34 PM UTCAndy BackstromGriffin Jax couldn’t handle a Patrick Bailey chopper in the sun, resulting in an infield single. Next, Petey Halpin launched a go-ahead two-run homer over the right-center field wall. Halpin swung his bat and trotted the bases after his mammoth swing in the bottom of the fifth inning. There are 3-2 Guardians. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:28 pm UTCAndy Backstrom Just as the Guardians unleashed some bullpen activity, Gavin Williams resumed his strikeout dominance, ending the top of the fifth inning with his ninth K of the day. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:22 pm UTC Andy Backstrom Griffin Jax, who entered without having pitched more than three innings in a game since September 20, has been impressive since allowing a run in the second inning. He needed just eight pitches to get out of the fourth, with a pair of Guardians batters swinging on the first pitch of the inning. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:12 pm UTCAndy Backstrom After a leadoff double by Yandy Díaz, Gavin Williams racked up two more strikeouts. But with two outs, Victor Mesa Jr. tied a walk, and then Chandler Simpson hit a go-ahead stand-up triple. Simpson did it with two strikes, throwing the ball down the right field line and scoring a pair of runs. Thus, the Rays are 2-1. Williams ended the inning with another strikeout, his eighth of the day. However, it is no longer perfect. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:06 pm UTC Andy Backstrom Yandy Díaz led off a double to left field in the top of the fourth inning. Steven Kwan seemed to misplay the ball, perhaps underestimating how far it would travel. It bounced and bounced off the left field wall, giving Diaz time to run toward second base. That’s Tampa Bay’s first hit. Gavin Williams retired the first nine batters he faced. But his 1-2-3 inning streak is over. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:01 pm UTC Andy Backstrom José Ramírez stole second, but was stranded in the bottom of the third inning. However, the Guardians remain ahead 1-0 and have Gavin Williams firing on all cylinders in the slump. Thursday, October 15, 2026 06:00 PM UTCAndy BackstromJosé Ramírez is not intimidated. Not long after dropping a two-out single to left field in the bottom of the third inning, Ramirez stole second. Ramirez was caught stealing in the first inning, but that didn’t stop him from stealing a bag two innings later. Thursday, October 15, 2026 05:56 pm UTCAndy BackstromGavin Williams is on a heater. But he’s not just using his speed to his advantage. While setting up Richie Palacios with a 97 mph four-seam fastball, he put Taylor Walls on an 0-2 count with two straight knuckleball curveballs. Finally, he caught Walls staring with a sweeper. Williams has retired each of the nine batters he faced. He has up to five strikeouts on the day. Thursday, October 15, 2026 05:48 pm UTC Andy Backstrom Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell missed the zone, but showed some quickness on his first pitch: Thursday, October 15, 2026 05:46 pm UTC Andy Backstrom After hitting his RBI double, Nathaniel Lowe found himself at second with no outs, threatening to increase Cleveland’s lead. But, despite Travis Bazzana advancing Lowe to third, Lowe ended up stranded and Rays right-hander Griffin Jax exited the second inning with just one run allowed. Still, the Guardians are in the driver’s seat with a 1-0 lead. Thursday, October 15, 2026 05:41 pm UTCAndy BackstromJo Adell issued a leadoff walk in the bottom of the second inning. On the next pitch, Nathaniel Lowe hit an RBI double toward the right field wall. The ball bounced awkwardly off the wall, costing Rays right fielder Victor Mesa Jr. critical time. That delay helped Adell score from first. It’s 1-0 for the Guardians.
