Rays bats overcome Junior Caminero near-miss, come alive in Game 4 vs Guardians

The Tampa Bay Rays’ bats came alive late in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. After what started off as a duel between pitching staffs, the Rays were able to pull away late and win 7-3. The series is tied once again, this time at 2-2. 

At first, there was the feeling again that maybe things wouldn’t go right again. Even nature wasn’t on the side of the Rays early in the game. 

One notable example came to lead off the top of the fourth inning, when Junior Caminero put everything he had into a baseball. It had an exit velocity of 110.7 mph, and it went 410 feet. It looked like a sure solo shot. But, of course, it dropped just into the wrong spot in the park. The only spot where it could have stayed in.

The wind. The cold air. Those are things that don't help an offense try to get back on track.

Here we go again - or perhaps not. 

For it was Caminero who would still make the statement for the Rays when the breakthrough arrived. He doubled home Jonathan Aranda to give them a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth. That one also came off the bat at 110 mph, but this time, it was just barely over the reach of the glove of Jose Ramirez. That's baseball.

By the end of the game, the Big 3 were firing on all cylinders. 

Jonthan Arnada finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and scored twice. Yandy Diaz drove in two more, both of which came on a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to put in the dagger. 

Overall, the Big 3 finished 6-for-14 and were responsible for five of the seven runs driven in. 

As a team, they finished 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They had four hits with runners in scoring position across the first three games of this series. It's a stark difference, but for this team, it a welcome one.

This is the version of the Tampa Bay Rays we had seen throughout the regular season. For just the second time in the postseason, they’re shining through. If they’re looking to turn the tables on the Guardians, this needs to be the start of a run. 

For the most part, the Guardians haven’t had trouble stalling the top half of the order. Either payback continues, or it could be a frustrating remainder of the series. 

They do it again on Sunday, and the Rays can head back home with the wind in their sails and a win away

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