Guardians Win Back-to-Back Games Against Rays, Advance Wild-Card Race

The Cleveland Guardians secured consecutive victories against the Tampa Bay Rays, winning 7-1 on Friday and 3-2 on Saturday, strengthening their position in the American League wild-card race. Key offensive contributors included Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez, who drove in multiple runs across both games, with Kwan delivering a clutch two-out RBI single in the ninth inning on Saturday to clinch the win. Pitching performances were pivotal, with Gavin Williams dominating on Friday by allowing just one run over seven innings, and Tanner Bibee delivering a solid start on Saturday, limiting the Rays to two runs over nearly seven innings. The Rays showed resilience, with Josh Lowe hitting a solo homer Saturday and Junior Caminero powering a solo homer Friday, but their bullpen struggled late, notably with closer Pete Fairbanks giving up the decisive ninth-inning hit on Saturday. The Guardians' victories moved them ahead of the Rays in the wild-card standings while tightening the playoff race. Defensive plays and strategic baserunning also featured prominently, such as a key out at home by the Rays on Saturday that prevented a potential go-ahead run.