Key Takeaways
- • Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta threw six scoreless innings in ALCS Game 2 against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, helping Tampa Bay even the series at one game apiece.
- • Mets owner Steve Cohen attended the game at Tropicana Field, a fact Peralta said surprised him, according to the New York Post.
- • Peralta, traded from the Brewers to the Mets on Jan. 21, went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts in Queens before being acquired by Tampa Bay at the August trade deadline.
- • Since joining the Rays, Peralta went 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in the regular season and has allowed one run in 10.2 postseason innings.
Summary
Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta pitched six scoreless innings in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday, leading Tampa Bay to a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians that evened the series at one game each. According to the New York Post, the outing came in front of former employer Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, who was in attendance at Tropicana Field.
Peralta said postgame that he had no idea Cohen would be at the ballpark. He said he did not know whether Cohen came to watch the game or to see him, but described a good relationship with the Mets owner. Peralta said Cohen texted him when the Mets acquired him in a trade with the Brewers on Jan. 21, and that the two had regular communication during spring training. "I think that he's awesome. I'm happy that he was here," Peralta said.
Peralta's tenure in Queens was difficult. Across 22 starts with the Mets, he went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA, well short of what the club had hoped to receive. After being traded to Tampa Bay at the August deadline, he posted a 5-2 record with a 3.25 ERA in the regular season. Across 10.2 postseason innings in 2026, he has allowed just one run, and in Game 2 he allowed four hits and two walks while striking out six.
The performance adds to Peralta's postseason profile for the Rays, who have leaned on pitchers who have found success after arriving in Tampa Bay.
Peralta said postgame that he had no idea Cohen would be at the ballpark. He said he did not know whether Cohen came to watch the game or to see him, but described a good relationship with the Mets owner. Peralta said Cohen texted him when the Mets acquired him in a trade with the Brewers on Jan. 21, and that the two had regular communication during spring training. "I think that he's awesome. I'm happy that he was here," Peralta said.
Peralta's tenure in Queens was difficult. Across 22 starts with the Mets, he went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA, well short of what the club had hoped to receive. After being traded to Tampa Bay at the August deadline, he posted a 5-2 record with a 3.25 ERA in the regular season. Across 10.2 postseason innings in 2026, he has allowed just one run, and in Game 2 he allowed four hits and two walks while striking out six.
The performance adds to Peralta's postseason profile for the Rays, who have leaned on pitchers who have found success after arriving in Tampa Bay.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.