Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz homer as the Rays beat the Guardians 7-3 to reach the World Series against the Brewers

The Tampa Bay Rays are going to the World Series.

Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz each hit a two-run homer on Monday night and the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field. It is just the third pennant in the franchise's 29 seasons.

Tampa Bay will face the 103-win Milwaukee Brewers with Game 1 set for Friday night in Milwaukee. Neither club has ever won a World Series. It is the first Fall Classic between two teams both chasing their first title since the Phillies beat the Royals in 1980.

Caminero breaks through

The 23-year-old Caminero had been fighting it all series. He came into the night 4-for-20 with 11 strikeouts and had not homered since Sept. 26.

"He was a little down after batting practice," bench coach Rodney Linares said in Spanish. "And when we got inside I told him, 'Listen, the pitcher is more afraid of you than you are of them. You know who you are.'"

With the Rays up 3-1 in the seventh inning, Caminero turned on a splitter from All-Star closer Cade Smith and clanked it off the foul pole for a two-run shot. It was his first career postseason home run. He pounded his chest, cupped his ear to the sellout crowd and then crossed his arms in a stare toward former Rays star Randy Arozarena, who was sitting behind home plate. The trot lasted 38.7 seconds.

"That came naturally," Caminero said in Spanish. "I just saw him and did it."

Cleveland cut the lead to 5-3 in the eighth. Díaz, the longest-tenured player on the roster who had guaranteed a win after Game 5, answered right away with a two-run homer off Hunter Gaddis. Closer Bryan Baker then retired the side in order in the ninth.

Fastball Freddy

Freddy Peralta started it all. He held the Guardians to one run over 5⅓ innings and left to a standing ovation. For the series he allowed one run in 12 innings for a 0.75 ERA and was named ALCS MVP.

It is a remarkable turnaround. Peralta had a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts with the New York Mets before Tampa Bay acquired him in an Aug. 2 trade. Since late August he has a 0.89 ERA in 10 outings.

"When I got here, everything changed," Peralta said. "As soon as I stepped in the dugout in the first inning, I felt the vibes. I felt something different. And I think that's why we're here now."

Now he gets to face the team where he spent eight seasons and made two All-Star teams. "Milwaukee is going to be always in my heart," he said. "But this is a time to compete."

The loss extended Cleveland's World Series drought to 78 years.