Caminero's unlikely blast, 38.7-second HR trot...

Match Overview

The Tampa Bay Rays secured their third American League pennant in franchise history with a 5-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 7 of the ALCS at Tropicana Field.

The decisive blow came in the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied 3-3. Junior Caminero broke the deadlock by crushing an unlikely two-run blast to left-center, turning a high-leverage battle into an unforgettable celebration before the bullpen sealed the final six outs.

Key Stats & Facts

• The Trot: Caminero circled the bases in 38.7 seconds, marking the slowest home run trot recorded in MLB postseason history in the Statcast era (since 2015).
• Batted-Ball Profile: The home run recorded an exit velocity of 111.2 mph and traveled an estimated 426 feet, clearing the left-center field wall.
• Pitch Context: Caminero connected on an 0-2 splitter at 91.4 mph below the strike zone off reliever Yennier Cano; the pitch carried an expected batting average (xBA) of just .074.
• Team Box Score: Tampa Bay recorded 5 runs, 8 hits, and 0 errors, leaving 4 runners on base. Baltimore registered 3 runs, 6 hits, and 1 error.
• Bullpen Dominance: Rays relievers combined for 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five. Pete Fairbanks earned the save with a clean ninth inning on 12 pitches (9 strikes).

Player Spotlight & Standings Impact

Junior Caminero

Caminero finished the contest 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. At 21 years and 108 days old, the slugger became the second-youngest player in MLB history to hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning or later of an ALCS Game 7. Across the series, Caminero posted a .346 batting average (9-for-26) with three home runs and eight RBIs.

World Series Impact

• Pennant Sealed: Tampa Bay wins the ALCS 4-3, capturing their first American League title since 2020 and the third in club history (2008, 2020).
• Next Stage: The Rays advance to the World Series to face the National League champions, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday night.