The ALCS Game 4 result is final: the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Saturday night, Oct. 17, at Progressive Field, tying the American League Championship Series at two games apiece. Jonathan Aranda collected three hits and two RBIs, Junior Caminero delivered the go-ahead double in the sixth inning, and Yandy Díaz sealed it with a two-run homer in the ninth, as Tampa Bay’s offense finally broke through a day after Friday’s rainout postponed the game.

The best-of-seven series is now effectively a best-of-three — and the 2-2 tie guarantees the series will return to St. Petersburg, Florida, for a Game 6.

How the Rays Won ALCS Game 4

Cleveland struck first. In the bottom of the first inning, Chase DeLauter’s RBI single scored Steven Kwan to give the Guardians a 1-0 lead. Tampa Bay had no early answer — the Rays did not record a hit their first time through the batting order.

Aranda tied it in the third with a two-out RBI single off Foster Griffin that scored Díaz, knotting the game 1-1. Cleveland had opened with Shawn Armstrong, who threw a scoreless first inning before handing the ball to Griffin.

The game stayed 1-1 until the sixth, when Aranda came home on Caminero’s double off Daniel Espino (0-1), giving Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead it would not relinquish.

Then the Rays broke it open with three runs in the seventh. Aranda’s two-run single to right field was misplayed into an error by DeLauter, and Chandler Simpson’s sacrifice fly brought Aranda home to complete the three-run frame and make it 5-1.

Cleveland refused to go quietly in the bottom of the seventh. Travis Bazzana’s solo homer and Brayan Rocchio’s two-out single scoring Patrick Bailey off Ian Seymour cut the deficit to 5-3, and the tying run came to the plate. In the eighth, pinch-hitter David Fry crushed a ball foul before striking out, ending the Guardians’ best remaining threat.

Díaz provided the final margin in the ninth, launching a two-run homer off Matt Festa to stretch the lead to 7-3.

Nick Martinez Steadies Tampa Bay

Nick Martinez (1-0) earned the win with 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits with three strikeouts and two walks. At one point, the right-hander retired 11 consecutive Cleveland batters, keeping the Rays within reach until the offense woke up in the middle innings.

Tampa Bay’s bullpen held the line from there, stranding Cleveland’s late threats in the seventh and eighth before Díaz’s ninth-inning blast put the game out of reach.

Aranda, Caminero and Díaz Come Alive

The trio of Aranda, Caminero and Díaz combined for five RBIs in Game 4 — after managing just one RBI between them across the first three games of the series. Aranda’s three-hit, two-RBI night led the way, and he scored the go-ahead run on Caminero’s sixth-inning double.

For Cleveland, José Ramírez went 0-for-3 with a walk. His on-base streak still reached 16 consecutive postseason games, tying the franchise record.

What the 2-2 Tie Means for the ALCS

The series has swung back and forth all week. Cleveland took the opener 7-3 on Oct. 12 in Game 1, Tampa Bay answered with a 3-1 win in Game 2 on Oct. 13, and the Guardians edged a 3-2 thriller in Game 3 on Oct. 15 after it was moved to a 1 p.m. ET start. Game 4 was postponed Friday by rain and pushed to Saturday night.

Game 5 is Sunday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. ET (Monday, 2:30 a.m. IST) back at Progressive Field — the final game of the series in Cleveland. With the series tied, a Game 6 is now guaranteed for Monday in St. Petersburg.

The winner advances to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series. Milwaukee swept the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the NLCS, reaching its first Fall Classic since 1982, and the World Series opener is scheduled for Oct. 23. The Rays have never won a World Series; Cleveland’s last championship came in 1948.

Frequently Asked Questions About ALCS Game 4

What was the final score of ALCS Game 4?
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 4 of the ALCS on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Who leads the ALCS after Game 4?
The series is tied 2-2. Cleveland won Game 1 (7-3) and Game 3 (3-2); Tampa Bay won Game 2 (3-1) and Game 4 (7-3).

When is ALCS Game 5?
Game 5 is Sunday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. ET at Progressive Field in Cleveland (Monday, 2:30 a.m. IST). Game 6 is guaranteed for Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Who starred for the Rays in Game 4?
Jonathan Aranda (three hits, two RBIs), Junior Caminero (go-ahead sixth-inning double) and Yandy Díaz (ninth-inning two-run homer) combined for five RBIs. Nick Martinez (1-0) earned the win with 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball.

Sources: Reuters; USA Today; theScore; Akron Beacon Journal.