Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays scored in each of the first three frames to beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in ALCS Game 5 on Sunday at Progressive Field. The win puts Tampa Bay ahead 3-2 in the series.
The Rays built their lead early and never let it go. Yandy Diaz went 3-for-5 with a double and a run, while Jonathan Aranda drove in a run on a 2-for-5 night at the plate. Cleveland’s offense managed just five hits, with Steven Kwan going 2-for-4 for the Guardians’ only multi-hit performance.
Key Moments: How The Rays Pulled Away
Tampa Bay needed only three innings to build the lead that held up the rest of the night. In the first, a walk scored Diaz to make it 1-0, with Cleveland’s challenge of the call upheld. In the second, Aranda’s single to left plated another run to put the Rays up 2-0. In the third, a single by Hicks brought home Simpson for a 3-0 cushion.
Cleveland’s lone run came in the sixth inning, when Chase DeLauter grounded out to first with Kwan scoring from third and Jose Ramirez advancing to second. The Guardians could not push across another run the rest of the way.
Top Performers From ALCS Game 5
Rasmussen was the story on the mound, improving to 2-0 in the postseason with seven innings, one earned run, four hits, six strikeouts and a walk on 95 pitches. He handed the ball to a bullpen that finished the job: Cam Booser, Tyler Wells and closer Bryan Baker combined for two scoreless innings, with Baker picking up his fifth save of the postseason.
Diaz led Tampa Bay’s offense at 3-for-5 with a double, while Aranda and Chandler Simpson each factored into the scoring. Simpson went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and a stolen base. Junior Caminero added a hit in a 1-for-4 showing.
For Cleveland, Kwan’s two hits and a run represented the bright spot. Parker Messick took the loss, allowing two earned runs over two innings, and the Guardians bullpen of Tim Herrin, Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith held Tampa Bay scoreless over the final six innings after the early damage was done.
What It Means For The ALCS
Tampa Bay improved to 98-64 on the season and now sits one win away from clinching the American League pennant. Cleveland, which finished 85-77, faces elimination and must win to force a Game 6. The Rays have now taken the season series from Cleveland, 5-1, across their matchups this year.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff limited the Guardians to one run for the second time this series, a trend that has defined the Rays’ ability to control games even when their own offense is not overpowering. Rasmussen’s performance lowered his postseason ERA to 1.29, underscoring the role Tampa Bay’s rotation has played in building the series lead.
What’s Next
The series shifts with Tampa Bay holding a 3-2 advantage and Cleveland needing a win to stay alive. The next game has not been officially scheduled.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
