Rasmussen leads Rays past Guardians to move within one win of World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays moved one victory from the World Series by beating the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 on Sunday in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. According to Field Level Media, the road win gave Tampa Bay a 3-2 series advantage after the teams split the opening four games.

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Drew Rasmussen delivered seven innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six. The right-hander surrendered one run and improved to 2-0 in this postseason. His earned-run average across three playoff starts fell to 1.29, giving Tampa Bay another strong start at a decisive point in the series.

Tampa Bay built its advantage with a run in each of the first three innings. Yandy Diaz scored when Jonny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk. Jonathan Aranda then singled home Ben Williamson, and Liam Hicks added a run-scoring single. Diaz finished with three hits, while Aranda, Hicks and Chandler Simpson had two apiece.

Cam Booser and Tyler Wells handled the eighth inning before Bryan Baker closed out the victory. Baker collected his fifth save of the postseason, completing a combined five-hitter. Cleveland starter Parker Messick lasted two innings and was charged with two runs.

The result followed Tampa Bay's 7-3 victory in Game 4, which had brought the series level. Cleveland had previously won the opener 7-3 and Game 3 by a 3-2 score, while the Rays took Game 2, 3-1. Sunday's victory therefore marked the first time either club had won consecutive games in this ALCS.

The clubs arrived at this stage through contrasting Division Series. Tampa Bay swept the New York Yankees in three games. Cleveland needed five against the Chicago White Sox, recovering from a two-game deficit. The Guardians now face another elimination situation, this time needing two victories to claim the American League pennant.

Game 6 is scheduled for Monday at Tropicana Field, with a deciding seventh game there on Tuesday if required. Tampa Bay is seeking its third American League championship, following pennants in 2008 and 2020. Cleveland's most recent World Series appearance came in 2016.