Tampa Bay Rays move one win from World Series after Drew Rasmussen dominates Cleveland Guardians
Tampa Bay beat Cleveland 3–1 in Game 5 to take a 3–2 lead in their American League series, moving one win from the World Series. Drew Rasmussen’s strong pitching and three early scoring plays helped the Rays quiet the Guardians’ offence and put Cleveland at risk of elimination.
Rasmussen allowed one run and four hits over seven innings, including a seventh-inning double play that ended a Cleveland threat. Jonny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk, while Jonathan Aranda and Liam Hicks each hit an RBI single; Cleveland’s only run came on a groundout. The series returns to St Petersburg for Game 6, where Tampa Bay can clinch the pennant, with Milwaukee awaiting the winner.
- Tampa Bay leads the series 3–2.
- Rasmussen gave up one run across seven innings.
- The Rays can clinch at home in Game 6.
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Tampa Bay and Cleveland are competing in the American League Championship Series, a best-of-seven contest that decides which team advances to Major League Baseball’s World Series. The first team to win four games takes the American League pennant and faces the National League champion for baseball’s title.
The Rays are based in St Petersburg, Florida, and the Guardians are from Cleveland, Ohio. Milwaukee is the National League team waiting to face the winner, so the outcome will determine who plays for the championship.