Rays manager Kevin Cash breaks down Freddy Peralta usage in Game 4 vs. Guardians appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Rays pulled out all the stops to even the American League Championship Series, including a rare relief appearance from one of their starters. Freddy Peralta, who started and won Game 2, came out of the bullpen in Tampa Bay’s 7-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 on Saturday night at Progressive Field.
After the game, Rays manager Kevin Cash explained the decision.
“He was available yesterday as well,” Cash told reporters in a post-game press conference. “Just kind of gave the heads up, like, sixth inning, tighter lead, you’re definitely in play. He was all eager to come in and do it and showed why.”
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
Kevin Cash on why he used Freddy Peralta out of the pen, and announcing Drew Rasmussen as the starter for Game 5 tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/iiBvjfZ6jD
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 18, 2026
Cash came away impressed with what he saw. “A lot of power, got huge outs for us,” he said.
Peralta’s outing was brief. He faced three hitters on nine pitches and his fastball averaged 97.5 mph despite the cold in Cleveland. The game stayed tight into the middle innings, with the score tied until Junior Caminero’s go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning.
The Rays then pulled away. Tampa Bay scored three runs in the seventh, helped by Guardians miscues in the field, and Yandy Diaz added a two-run homer in the ninth. Starter Nick Martinez also delivered, allowing one run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Peralta’s quick appearance could keep him in line to start again later in the series if needed. He earned the win in Game 2, when the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 at Tropicana Field to even the series at a game apiece.
Cash also confirmed his Game 5 plan at the end of his press conference. “And then tomorrow’s starter will be Ras,” he said, referring to ace Drew Rasmussen.
Rasmussen will take the ball with the series tied 2-2. The right-hander went 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP during the regular season and held Cleveland to two runs over six-plus innings in Game 1.
Game 5 is set for Sunday at Progressive Field before the series shifts back to Tropicana Field for Game 6 on Monday and a potential Game 7. The winner will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.
Related: Rays’ Kevin Cash assesses Junior Caminero’s at-bats in ALCS Game 4
Related: Rays star Drew Rasmussen isn’t phased by ALCS Game 5 start vs. Rays