Rays reliever Kevin Kelly saves the day after Guardians load the bases in the 8th inning appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Kevin Kelly escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning Monday night, preserving a 5-3 lead over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.
With two outs and all three bases occupied, Kelly struck out Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio to end the threat at Tropicana Field.
The crucial strikeout stranded Cleveland’s tying run at second and potential go-ahead run at first, leaving the Rays just three outs away from advancing to the 2026 World Series.
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ClutchPoints shared footage of the moment Monday on X, formerly Twitter, capturing Kelly’s inning-ending strikeout and the reaction from Tampa Bay fans as the Rays moved closer to clinching the American League pennant.
Kevin Kelly SAVES THE DAY with this strikeout 😤
The Rays are just three outs away from the World Series! pic.twitter.com/47BpXTVDTe
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 20, 2026
Kelly’s escape came with Tampa Bay holding a 3-2 series advantage, needing one more victory to secure its third World Series appearance in franchise history.
The Rays entered Monday’s matchup following a 3-1 victory in Game 5 on Sunday, when starter Drew Rasmussen limited Cleveland to one run over seven innings.
That win gave the club back-to-back victories on the road and an opportunity to finish the best-of-seven series at home.
The Guardians, meanwhile, faced elimination and needed to win Game 6 to force a decisive seventh contest.
Kelly’s strikeout prevented Cleveland from capitalizing on one of its late scoring opportunities, maintaining the Rays’ two-run cushion heading into the bottom of the eighth.
The play also continued Tampa Bay’s strong pitching throughout the postseason, helping the club secure its first World Series appearance since 2020.
After escaping the eighth-inning jam, the Rays completed their 7-3 Game 6 victory over the Guardians, clinching the American League pennant and advancing to the 2026 World Series.
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