Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez shouldered the blame for his backbreaking fielding errors in the team's 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.

Having played a starring role in Cleveland's 7-3 series-opening win with three hits and two runs, Ramirez saw his fortunes nosedive in Game 2. His fourth-inning error helped Tampa Bay score three unearned runs, allowing the Rays to level the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

The game-changing sequence unfolded against rookie starter Parker Messick. After Victor Mesa Jr. reached first base and Chandler Simpson beat out an infield chopper to shortstop Brayan Rocchio, Ramirez moved toward the middle of the diamond. That left third base uncovered, allowing Mesa to advance from second to third without a throw.

Williamson followed with a grounder that skipped between Ramirez's legs and rolled into left field. Mesa crossed home plate, while Simpson advanced to third and Williamson reached second. Liam Hicks then smacked a two-run single to right-center field, extending Tampa Bay's advantage to 3-0.

“It's frustrating,” Ramirez said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “Nobody's perfect, but I still feel bad because obviously I wasn't able to do it, and after that, the runs came in. I feel bad about it.”

Ramirez also explained that the playing surface contributed to his difficulty handling Ben Williamson's ground ball.

“It's a little bit faster here with the surface and I was playing parallel to the base,” said Ramirez. “The ball bounced right on the edge between the dirt and the turf, and that's what made it a little more difficult for me. I tried to knock it down.”

Messick was charged with all three runs, but none were earned. He surrendered six hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings, throwing 82 pitches in the loss.

The Guardians also were limited offensively against Rays starter Freddy Peralta, who allowed four hits, issued two walks and struck out six across six scoreless innings. Cleveland went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine baserunners.

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The Guardians only run came in the seventh when Chase DeLauter doubled to right field, bringing Cleveland within two runs. However, the Guardians left runners at second and third after Jo Adell struck out, and Tampa Bay closed out the 3-1 victory.

Ramirez had been at the heart of Cleveland's postseason success before Tuesday, hitting .471 (8-for-17) with two home runs, eight runs scored and eight RBIs during the team's four-game winning streak. He also homered in consecutive games during the Division Series as the Guardians overcame a 2-0 deficit to advance.

After Wednesday's day off, the teams will resume the series on Thursday at Progressive Field for Game 3.