CLEVELAND -- The Guardians were hoping to stay within striking distance as the Tampa Bay Rays mounted a seventh-inning rally in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday, but right fielder Chase DeLauter's error opened the door for a bigger inning.
Already trailing 2-1 with runners on second and third and one out, DeLauter misplayed a Jonathan Aranda single in right field, allowing the ball to get under his glove. Two runs scored on the play while Aranda ended up on third base. Moments later, Aranda scored, too, on Chandler Simpson's sacrifice fly to give Tampa Bay a four-run lead.
"Put that one on me," DeLauter told ESPN after the 7-3 loss. "You miss a ground ball and give up two runs -- essentially give up three. It's my fault he's on third base. It sucks."
It's likely the two runners on base were going to score on the single anyway, but Aranda's unearned run allowed for some cushion as the Guardians got two runs back in the bottom of the inning.
"It looked like it may have snaked on him or just skipped by him, took his eye off of it," manager Stephen Vogt said.
Second baseman Travis Bazzana added: "He's been unreal out there, all year. The numbers would say so, and my eyes would tell us that he's been really solid out there for us."
DeLauter's error probably wasn't a game changer, considering the Rays extended their lead in the ninth, scoring two more times. But that didn't stop DeLauter from wearing it afterward, saying it's something that "can't happen."
"Just missed it," he said. "Ground ball under my glove -- that simple. Tied series. Another home game. Move on and come back and be better tomorrow."
