Guardians’ Travis Bazzana makes 1st postseason home run count vs. Rays appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Guardians got some gutsy play from rookie Chase DeLauter to start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. Later in the game, they got another crucial hit from another rookie, Travis Bazzana.
The Australian picked a fine time to get the first postseason home run of his career as he got a solo shot to cut the Rays’ lead to three.
Travis Bazzana LAUNCHES this ball for his first career HR 🚀
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The Guardians trim the Rays’ lead to 3 runs! https://t.co/9tIwBPVzdH
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 18, 2026
The Guardians, who decided to go with a bullpen game, got off to a good start in Game 4. Shawn Armstrong got the three outs that were asked of him. DeLauter then battled through a long at-bat to give them a one-run lead in the first inning. Fellow rookie Petey Halpin also popped up with a highlight catch.
However, things got progressively worse for the Guardians at that point as their normally reliable bullpen was unable to keep the Rays at bay this time around. The five relievers after Armstrong all gave up an earned run as the Rays ran out 7-3 winners to tie the ALCS up at 2-2.
With the series now back to square one, the Guardians will be hoping Bazzana’s home run ends up bringing his bat back to life. After a fine regular season where he hit .245 with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs, the rookie’s bat has gone quiet in the playoffs. Prior to Game 4, he had been hitting just .148 in the playoffs, with no homers and just one RBI.
Due to Friday’s postponement, there will be no day off for the rest of the ALCS. That means Bazzana and the Guardians will need to bounce back quickly from Game 4’s disappointment.
Related: Why Guardians’ Stephen Vogt still has supreme confidence in Cleveland after Game 4 loss to Rays
Related: Guardians’ Petey Halpin somehow survives wall collision to make incredible catch vs. Rays