Rays move one win from World Series after beating Guardians

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 03:01 · Archive

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead in the American League Championship Series.

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 on Sunday to take a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series. Drew Rasmussen was dominant on the mound, allowing just one run on four hits over seven innings for his second postseason win. The Guardians managed nine straight retirements by Rasmussen before their first baserunner, and he allowed only one other baserunner through six innings.

The Rays built their lead through consistent early scoring, posting single runs in each of the first three innings. Tampa Bay's offense kept constant pressure on Cleveland throughout the game, with Jonny DeLuca working a bases-loaded walk in the first, Jonathan Aranda lining an RBI single in the second, and Liam Hicks recording an RBI single in the third. Cleveland's only run came on an infield groundout in the sixth.

The series now heads to St. Petersburg, Florida, for Game 6 on Monday, where the Rays can clinch their first American League pennant since 2020. Since the ALCS expanded to seven games in 1985, road teams winning Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have won the series four of five times. Cleveland has not won an ALCS when trailing 3-2. The World Series against National League champion Milwaukee is set to begin Friday if the Rays advance.

How it is being reported

• Rays beat Guardians in Game 5 to take another step toward World SeriesYandy Diaz had three hits and scored a run, and Drew Rasmussen carried a shutout into the sixth inningThe Japan Times · 19 Oct, 03:45
• Drew Rasmussen dominates Guardians in Game 5 to move Rays win away from World SeriesDrew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings for his second postseason win, Tampa Bay’s offense kept on constant pressure and the Rays beat the Cleveland GuardiansNew York Post · 19 Oct, 02:45
• Tampa Bay Rays move one win from World Series after Drew Rasmussen dominates Cleveland GuardiansDrew Rasmussen dominated over seven strong innings as the Tampa Bay Rays seized a 3-2 series lead, pushing the Cleveland Guardians to the brink.Fox News · 19 Oct, 01:43

In this story: Tampa Bay Rays · Cleveland Guardians · Drew Rasmussen · Milwaukee Brewers · St. Petersburg

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