Key Takeaways
- • Freddy Peralta allowed four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings with six strikeouts as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, tying the series at one game apiece.
- • Mets owner Steve Cohen attended Peralta's ALCS Game 2 start at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., according to Heavy.com.
- • Peralta said he had no idea Cohen was attending and described a good relationship with the owner, noting Cohen texted him after the Mets acquired him and spoke with him after the trade to the Rays.
- • Peralta posted a 4.99 ERA with the Mets this season versus a 3.25 ERA in 55 1/3 innings with the Rays after the deadline trade.
- • Peralta, 30, is set to become a free agent this offseason.
Summary
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta delivered a strong performance in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings while striking out six in a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field. The victory evened the series after Cleveland won Game 1 by a score of 7-3 on Monday, according to Heavy.com.
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen was in attendance for the start, a detail Peralta said he was unaware of before a reporter raised it after the game. Peralta said he did not know whether Cohen came to watch the game or to watch him, adding that the two have a good relationship. He said Cohen texted him when the Mets acquired him from the Milwaukee Brewers and that the two spoke again after he was traded to the Rays, and he described the owner as "awesome."
The Mets acquired Peralta from Milwaukee last offseason, but the club struggled in 2026 and traded him at the deadline to Tampa Bay. Peralta posted a 4.99 ERA with 113 strikeouts over 113 2/3 innings with New York. After the trade he recorded a 3.25 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 55 1/3 innings with the Rays. Before his ALCS start, he allowed one earned run over 4 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
Peralta, 30, began his career with Milwaukee in 2018 and pitched there through the 2025 season. Across his MLB career he has a 3.71 ERA with 1,309 strikeouts over 1,100 innings, and he owns a 3.48 ERA over 44 postseason innings. He is set to become a free agent this offseason.
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen was in attendance for the start, a detail Peralta said he was unaware of before a reporter raised it after the game. Peralta said he did not know whether Cohen came to watch the game or to watch him, adding that the two have a good relationship. He said Cohen texted him when the Mets acquired him from the Milwaukee Brewers and that the two spoke again after he was traded to the Rays, and he described the owner as "awesome."
The Mets acquired Peralta from Milwaukee last offseason, but the club struggled in 2026 and traded him at the deadline to Tampa Bay. Peralta posted a 4.99 ERA with 113 strikeouts over 113 2/3 innings with New York. After the trade he recorded a 3.25 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 55 1/3 innings with the Rays. Before his ALCS start, he allowed one earned run over 4 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
Peralta, 30, began his career with Milwaukee in 2018 and pitched there through the 2025 season. Across his MLB career he has a 3.71 ERA with 1,309 strikeouts over 1,100 innings, and he owns a 3.48 ERA over 44 postseason innings. He is set to become a free agent this offseason.
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