Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen led the Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings, striking out six and walking one.
Jonny DeLuca, the Rays’ outfielder, said it was a quiet day for the outfielders with Rasmussen on the mound. “It gets kind of boring out there because it’s incredible the stuff he has,” DeLuca said. “But you like that because he’s your teammate.”
Rasmussen’s Performance
Rasmussen’s performance was impressive, according to Rays manager Kevin Cash. “The way he limited anything was really, really impressive,” Cash said. “He got in rhythm with the fastball. A lot of power to everything. Then the depth on the changeup throughout the outing was a big pitch for him.”
Rasmussen is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three postseason starts, striking out 23 and walking three. He used his changeup 27 times on Sunday, including 21 for strikes.
Game Highlights
Tampa Bay scored single runs in each of the first three innings, taking advantage of early opportunities. The Rays’ leadoff hitter reached base in the first four innings, scoring in the first three frames.
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Yandy Díaz scored on a bases-loaded walk in the first inning, and Jonathan Aranda’s single drove in Ben Williamson for a 2-0 lead in the second. Liam Hicks looped a curveball to center to score Chandler Simpson in the third.
Cleveland finally threatened in the seventh when Steven Kwan and José Ramírez singled to put runners at the corners, and DeLauter grounded an RBI single between first and second.
The Rays’ ability to capitalize on early opportunities was a key factor in their victory, with their leadoff batters reaching base in 10 of 14 innings dating back to Saturday. This consistent pressure on the Guardians’ pitching staff ultimately paid off, as the Rays were able to build an early lead and maintain it throughout the game.
Guardians’ Chances
Kwan had two of Cleveland’s five hits and made two fine defensive plays, throwing out Walls trying to score from second base and making a leaping catch at the center-field wall on Victor Mesa Jr.’s eighth-inning drive.
Cleveland has not won an ALCS when trailing 3-2, while the Rays are 58-27 at home this year, including the postseason. The Guardians are seeking their first World Series title since 1948.
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Manager Stephen Vogt said, “We know we’ve got our work cut out for us. It’s a really good team and a really good team when they play at home, especially.”
Tampa Bay will start right-hander Freddy Peralta in the next game, while Cleveland has not announced a starter. The series will continue on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Rays are one win away from capturing their third AL pennant and first since 2020. As Major League Baseball postseason history shows, road teams winning Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have won the series four of five times since the ALCS expanded to best-of-seven games in 1985.
Designated hitter Yandy Díaz expressed confidence in the Rays’ chances, saying “We’re going to win tomorrow.” With Game 7 scheduled for Tuesday if needed, the Rays are focused on closing out the series on Monday. Cleveland, on the other hand, has not announced a starter for the next game, and manager Stephen Vogt has ruled out using right-hander Gavin Williams.
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