The Cleveland Guardians quite literally let a potential win slip away during Saturday’s ALCS Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Guardians trailed 2-1 when Rays slugger Jonathan Aranda came up to bat in the top of the 7th inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. With runners in scoring position, Aranda smacked a single to right fielder Chase DeLauter.
A hit that would have likely driven in just one run slipped under DeLauter’s glove, allowing Aranda to scoot into third base as two runners scored.
JONATHAN ARANDA 😮 Another two runs come home for the Rays! https://t.co/8vFafvvXzP
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2026
DeLauter appeared to be loading up for a throw to home plate to keep a second run from scoring. Instead, his mistake opened the door for a big Tampa Bay inning. Aranda also came in to score on a Chandler Simpson sacrifice fly, pushing the Rays ahead 5-1.
The Rays ultimately held on for a 7-3 win, tying the series 2-2.
Rays third baseman Yandy Diaz owes Aranda a steak dinner for picking him up with the big hit in the 7th. Before Aranda came up to the plate, Diaz struck out looking on a pitch outside the zone but refused to challenge it, much to the dismay of Rays fans everywhere.
All’s well that ended well for the Rays faithful.
