Newz(AP) — Junior Caminero took bites from a massive bone-in tomahawk steak in between questions from reporters inside a beer-soaked clubhouse as teammates danced around, sprayed bubbly and celebrated the Tampa Bay Rays’ third American League pennant.The Rays and their low payroll and small-ball style are heading to the World Series seeking the first championship in franchise history.After a three-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees in their Division Series, the Rays eliminated the Cleveland Guardians in six games by winning three in a row to close out the AL Championship Series.Next up is a matchup against the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers, another thrifty club from a small market that also has never won a World Series.Caminero, the All-Star third baseman who hit 42 homers during the regular season, finally connected for the first time in the postseason, launching a drive off the left-field foul pole to give the Rays a four-run cushion in the seventh inning of a 7-3 win Monday night.He savored every second of his home run trot, emphatically pounding his chest before reaching first base and imitating Randy Arozarena’s signature pose before crossing the plate while his former Tampa Bay teammate watched from the stands.“Tampa, this is for you!” Caminero shouted to fans after the game. Let’s go!”Veteran slugger Yandy Díaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, also blasted a two-run shot, going deep in the eighth after the Guardians closed to 5-3. Díaz also celebrated with a slow trot that wasn’t quite as demonstrative.Díaz held the tomahawk steak, a tradition he started when the Rays clinched the AL East title, and flexed his arms while taking champagne sprays from teammates.“Protein, medium well, big biceps,” Díaz said with a smile.The Rays have time to enjoy their victory before heading to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in Game 1 on Friday night.They got here by winning 98 games in the regular season thanks to excellent pitching, strong defense and a group of unselfish hitters with a knack for bunting and playing fundamental baseball.
They opened the season with a payroll of $90.5 million that ranked 26th in the majors.“These guys deserve it. It’s a special group,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “These guys did an unbelievable job coming together, exploding…
(AP) — Yandy Díaz’s bat backed up his boast, and the Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series again. Díaz and Junior Caminero each hit a two-run homer, Freddy Peralta pitched 5 1/3 gritty innings and the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night to win their third pennant in 29 seasons as a major league franchise. The Rays will face the NL champion Milwaukee Brewers in the first matchup in which both teams are seeking their first World Series title since 1980, when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals.
Game 1 is Friday night in Milwaukee. “We got one more bite!” Rays manager Kevin Cash told his team as the clubhouse celebration started. Díaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, made sure the Rays wouldn’t let this one slip away.
He gave them a four-run lead with a 416-foot shot off Hunter Gaddis in the eighth. “Yandy had a claim to back and he did his part,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “That was unbelievable.” Díaz’s drive to left field all but wrapped up Tampa Bay’s first World Series appearance since losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games at the end of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
“I’m really glad he backed it up, that’s for sure,” Cash said. “We know when Yandy goes, our offense seems to really take off.” The loss by Cleveland extended its World Series championship drought to 78 years. “I couldn’t be more proud of our group,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.
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