CLEVELAND — Petey Halpin hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning off Griffin Jax, and Gavin Williams and four relievers combined on a three-hitter as the Cleveland Guardians edged the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday afternoon.
The Guardians now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Halpin’s first postseason home run traveled 385 feet over the fence in right, scoring Patrick Bailey to give the Guardians a 3-2 advantage. It was the first homer allowed by Jax since Sept. 9, a span of five appearances.
Guardians starter Gavin Williams (2-0) struck out nine over five innings, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk. The right-hander leads postseason pitchers with 33 strikeouts in just 16 2/3 innings over four appearances.
Cade Smith pitched a perfect final 1 1/3 innings for his second save of the series. Daniel Espino, Erik Sabrowski and Hunter Gaddis also saw action as Cleveland began a three-game homestand in the series.
Jax (0-1) worked four-plus innings, giving up three runs on five hits. The right-hander struck out two and walked a pair before giving way to Tyler Wells, who tossed two scoreless frames.
Tampa Bay took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Chandler Simpson’s two-run triple to right. Yandy Diaz and Victor Mesa Jr. scored on the hit that landed just inside the foul line, making Simpson 3-for-6 in his career against Williams.
Williams, who carried a no-hitter into the sixth in Game 5 of the AL Division Series against the Chicago White Sox, retired the first nine batters before Diaz doubled leading off the fourth.
Nathaniel Lowe doubled in the second, driving in Jo Adell to put Cleveland up 1-0. Adell had been called out on strikes by umpire Bill Miller, but challenged it and drew a walk. Jax retired the next three hitters to end the inning.
Diaz appeared in a franchise postseason-record 31st game for the Rays.
Jax, an Air Force Reserve captain, became the first pitcher to graduate from a United States military academy and start a playoff game.