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Rays celebrate advancing to first World Series since 2008

The Tampa Bay Rays revelled in their American League Championship Series (ALCS) success after reaching the MLB World Series for the first time in 12 years.

Tampa Bay will feature in the World Series for just the second time after topping the Houston Astros 4-2 in the winner-takes-all Game 7 of the ALCS on Saturday.

Eyeing their maiden World Series championship, the Rays are back in MLB's showpiece series for the first time since 2008 as either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves await.

Charlie Morton pitched 5.2 scoreless innings to set the tone for the Rays, allowing just two hits against his former team, while becoming the only pitcher in league history with four winner-take-all wins.

Winners win pic.twitter.com/5q6g8Nge1N

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 18, 2020

"It was pretty apparent early on the guys had bought into each other during this time," Rays pitcher Morton said after the reduced MLB season went ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"It was very challenging, because at first it everything was about the protocols and trying to keep guys safe. Just guys come onto the field every day, knowing they could get sick and staff coming in, and just a ton of work by people behind the scenes. I am so proud of these guys."

Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Rays a 2-0 lead – a record-setting seventh home run by a rookie in a single postseason, per Stats Perform.

Arozarena also became the first rookie with a go-ahead home run in a Game 7 since Miguel Cabrera's homer in Game 7 of the 2003 National League Championship Series (NLCS) as he was crowned ALCS MVP.

MVP! pic.twitter.com/psuXBmRBGJ

— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2020

Mike Zunino homered for the Rays, while Pete Fairbanks became the first rookie to save a Game 7 since David Price in the 2008 ALCS – both sent Tampa Bay to the World Series.

Rays manager Kevin Cash added: "Pretty special feeling. I don't know if I've had many better [moments] other than getting married and having three kids.

"This is right there below that. It can't get much better than that. This is a special group to be a part of."

"We are lucky to have Charlie Morton," Cash said. "For a group that doesn't have a wealth of experience in these roles, Charlie does. He has been there done that. It lined up really really well for us."