Junior Caminero supplied the edge, the Rays supplied the pitching, and Tampa Bay found its way back even in the American League Championship Series. Wearing the club’s bright Devil Rays throwbacks, the Rays beat Cleveland 3-1 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, using a three-run fourth inning to square the best-of-seven set before it moves north.
A spark in the throwbacks
The uniform choice came together late. After losing the opener, Tampa Bay switched into its throwback set at about 10 a.m. ET on Game 2 day, roughly 10 hours before first pitch. The idea came from team CEO Ken Babby, and manager Kevin Cash said the players enjoy the colorful look.
- Tampa Bay took the field in the Devil Rays uniforms after going 12-3 in them during the regular season. Those 12 victories represented 12.2% of the club’s 98 wins while it captured the AL East.
- The Rays had not worn the throwbacks in their three-game American League Division Series sweep of the Yankees.
- In a must-win Game 2, Tampa Bay put together a three-run fourth inning and held Cleveland to one run behind a strong pitching performance.
- Bryan Baker finished the job with a perfect ninth inning, earning his fourth save of the postseason.
Baker allowed that the uniforms may carry a little good fortune, noting that Tampa Bay had enjoyed success in them all year and calling Tuesday’s result the biggest of those wins. Still, the right-hander made clear there were plenty of reasons beyond the jersey for the Rays to feel good about the night.
Caminero turns a liner into a moment
The game’s most memorable exchange came in the fifth. Caminero, the 23-year-old third baseman and two-time All-Star, went up to pull down Steven Kwan’s line drive, which left the bat at 83.1 mph. After taking away the hit, Caminero looked toward Kwan and gave him a playful finger wag reminiscent of Dikembe Mutombo.
The two players continued the good-natured back-and-forth in the seventh, after Chase DeLauter doubled and Kwan reached third. Caminero said Kwan told him the ball would have gotten through if he had struck it with a little more force. Caminero’s response: hit it harder and it might get past him; fail to do so and the Rays would make the catch.
For Caminero, that is simply his style of play: compete hard, enjoy the game, and let some personality show. His energy has been a constant around the Tampa Bay dugout, where he is often among the first players out to meet teammates at the plate with hugs, hand slaps and applause.
Outfielder Chandler Simpson said Caminero has driven the club’s energy throughout the year, describing the third baseman as the head of the group and the rest of the roster as players feeding off his lead.
The series heads to Cleveland
Games 3, 4 and 5 will be played in Cleveland, beginning with Game 3 on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay will not bring the Devil Rays throwbacks on the trip, but it could wear the road uniform introduced in September, another set featuring a stingray on the jersey.
The Rays are 4-3 in that road look, including their clinching Game 3 win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Division Series. It may offer another pleasant bit of familiarity, but the club’s focus is less about the clothing than its approach.
Outfielder Jonny DeLuca said Tampa Bay intends to keep doing what carried it through the regular season: stay true to its identity, avoid unnecessary changes, and play its game. After one timely fourth inning, nine sharp defensive frames and Caminero’s latest burst of life, the Rays carry that mindset into Cleveland with the ALCS tied 1-1.
