Rays Beat Guardians 3-1 in Game 5, Take 3-2 ALCS Lead Behind Drew Rasmussen

Rasmussen Delivers Another Postseason Gem as Rays Within One Win of AL Pennant

The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from capturing the American League pennant after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. Drew Rasmussen delivered another outstanding postseason performance, allowing one run over seven innings as the Rays took a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series.

Tampa Bay has won two consecutive games and will have an opportunity to clinch its third American League pennant and first since 2020 when the series returns to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Monday. Cleveland, meanwhile, must win to keep its season alive and force a decisive Game 7 on Tuesday.

With Rasmussen controlling the Guardians’ offense, Tampa Bay’s outfielders had relatively little to do. Rays outfielder Jonny DeLuca anticipated a quiet day in the field with Rasmussen on the mound, and the right hander delivered exactly that, keeping Cleveland’s lineup largely under control throughout his seven innings.

Drew Rasmussen Dominates Guardians in Game 5

Rasmussen allowed four hits, walked one batter and struck out six over seven innings to earn his second victory of the postseason. The 31 year old right hander has surrendered just three runs across three postseason starts, compiling a 2-0 record with a 1.29 ERA while striking out 23 batters and issuing only three walks.

After allowing a two-out single to Chase DeLauter in the first inning, Rasmussen retired nine consecutive batters. He then allowed just one additional baserunner through the sixth inning as Tampa Bay maintained control of the game.

Rasmussen also made an adjustment from his Game 1 performance, when he allowed two runs over six innings. He relied more heavily on his changeup Sunday, throwing the pitch 27 times and recording 21 strikes after using it just 12 times in the series opener.

Cleveland finally threatened in the seventh inning when Steven Kwan and José Ramírez singled to put runners at the corners. DeLauter followed with an RBI single through the right side of the infield, bringing the Guardians within two runs at 3-1.

Tampa Bay’s bullpen handled the rest. Cam Booser and Tyler Wells combined to work the eighth inning, with Wells striking out Ramírez to strand a runner and prevent Cleveland from gaining further momentum.

Bryan Baker entered in the ninth and secured his fifth save of the postseason, extending his streak to 35 consecutive successful save opportunities. He closed out the victory when Travis Bazzana grounded out to end the game with Jo Adell at second base.

Rays Capitalize on Early Scoring Opportunities

Tampa Bay established control early, scoring one run in each of the first three innings to build a 3-0 advantage. The Rays consistently put pressure on Cleveland’s pitching staff, with their leadoff hitter reaching base in each of the first four innings and scoring in the first three frames.

The scoring began in the first inning against Parker Messick. Díaz opened the game with a line-drive double over center fielder Petey Halpin that bounced off the warning track and caromed off the wall. Tampa Bay eventually loaded the bases, and Díaz scored when Messick issued a bases-loaded walk to DeLuca.

The Rays extended their lead to 2-0 in the second inning when Jonathan Aranda delivered a single that brought home Ben Williamson. Tampa Bay then added another run in the third against reliever Tim Herrin, as Liam Hicks looped a curveball into center field to score Chandler Simpson.

Tampa Bay’s ability to take advantage of those early opportunities proved decisive in a game where Rasmussen and the bullpen limited Cleveland to one run. The Rays’ leadoff hitters have now reached base in 10 of 14 innings dating back to Saturday, helping generate consistent pressure on the Guardians’ pitching staff during Tampa Bay’s two-game winning streak.

Rays One Win Away From American League Pennant

The victory puts Tampa Bay in position to secure its third American League championship and first since 2020. The Rays have seized momentum after winning the last two games and will look to finish the series in front of their home crowd Monday.

History also favors Tampa Bay. Since the American League Championship Series expanded to a best of seven format in 1985, road teams that won Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead have gone on to win the series four out of five times.

Cleveland faces an elimination game Monday and must find a way to solve Tampa Bay’s pitching staff to extend its season. The Guardians showed signs of life in the seventh inning Sunday, but their limited offensive production over the first six innings left them with too much ground to make up.

If Cleveland wins Game 6, the teams will return Tuesday for a decisive Game 7. The winner of the ALCS will advance to the World Series, which begins Friday against the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers. For now, Tampa Bay has the advantage, with Rasmussen’s latest postseason gem and three early runs putting the Rays within one victory of returning to the World Series.