The Tampa Bay Rays are one victory away from the World Series, and Drew Rasmussen is a big reason why.
Rasmussen delivered seven innings of one-run baseball Sunday evening at Progressive Field, leading Tampa Bay to a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The Rays now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and return home with two opportunities to secure the American League pennant.
After dropping two of the first three games, Tampa Bay has won consecutive contests in Cleveland, turning a series deficit into a chance to clinch at Tropicana Field on Monday night.
Rays Strike Early Against Messick
Tampa Bay wasted little time putting pressure on Cleveland rookie Parker Messick. Yandy Díaz opened the game with a double off the center-field wall, and the Rays eventually loaded the bases before Jonny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk after an ABS challenge confirmed the ball-four call.
The Rays added another run in the second inning when Jonathan Aranda drove in Ben Williamson, extending their lead to 2-0.
Messick’s outing ended after just two innings and 57 pitches. He allowed two runs as Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt turned to his bullpen much earlier than he had hoped.
The pitching change did not immediately stop Tampa Bay. Liam Hicks delivered an RBI single off reliever Tim Herrin in the third inning, giving the Rays a 3-0 advantage.
Díaz finished with three hits, helping Tampa Bay collect 12 overall. Although the Rays failed to score after the third inning, their early offense proved sufficient.
Rasmussen Keeps Cleveland Quiet
Rasmussen was even more effective than the final score suggests.
The right-hander allowed four hits and one walk across seven innings, striking out six while throwing 95 pitches. Cleveland managed to hit only six balls out of the infield against Rasmussen.
The outing also continued an exceptional postseason for Rasmussen. He became the first Rays pitcher to produce three consecutive quality starts in the postseason and the only pitcher in franchise history with multiple postseason starts of at least seven innings while allowing no more than one run.
His changeup played a particularly important role Sunday. Rasmussen threw it 27 times, accounting for more than a quarter of his pitches, and Cleveland failed to record a hit against the offering.
The Guardians finally broke through in the sixth inning. Steven Kwan and José Ramírez singled, and Chase DeLauter’s groundout brought Kwan home to cut Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-1.
Rasmussen returned for the seventh and surrendered a leadoff single to Nathaniel Lowe. He retired Travis Bazzana before Patrick Bailey grounded into an inning-ending double play.
That was Rasmussen’s final inning, and he departed with the two-run advantage intact.
Guardians Run Out of Opportunities
Cleveland’s bullpen kept the Guardians within striking distance, preventing Tampa Bay from adding to its early lead. Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, and Cade Smith helped shut down the Rays after Messick’s departure.
But Cleveland’s offense could not capitalize.
Cam Booser recorded the first two outs of the eighth inning for Tampa Bay before Tyler Wells entered to retire the final batter. Bryan Baker took over in the ninth, issuing a leadoff walk that briefly offered Cleveland hope of a comeback. He recovered to secure his fifth save of the postseason.
Cleveland managed just five hits and one run, missing its opportunity to take a 3-2 series lead before returning to Tampa Bay.
Ramírez extended his postseason on-base streak to 17 games, establishing a Cleveland franchise record. Rookie DeLauter also continued his productive October, matching the franchise record with 11 postseason hits.
Neither achievement was enough to prevent the Guardians from falling to the brink of elimination.
One Victory From Milwaukee
The Rays have reached the World Series twice, losing to Philadelphia in 2008 and the Dodgers in 2020. They now have an opportunity to make their third appearance and pursue the franchise’s first championship.
The Milwaukee Brewers, who swept Los Angeles in the National League Championship Series, are already awaiting the American League champion.
Tampa Bay will attempt to finish the ALCS on Monday, October 19, when the series returns to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Friday’s rainout pushed Game 4 to Saturday and Game 5 to Sunday, eliminating the scheduled off-day and leaving both clubs playing three consecutive days.
Game 6 is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. CT, with Freddy Peralta starting for Tampa Bay. Cleveland plans a bullpen game, with Slade Cecconi among the possible options to open. The game will air on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max.
The Rays lead the series 3-2. One more victory sends them to the World Series; a Cleveland win would force Game 7 on Tuesday.
