CLEVELAND — Drew Rasmussen delivered seven dominant innings and the Tampa Bay Rays scored in each of the first three frames Sunday to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 at Progressive Field, seizing a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series.
With the victory, the top-seeded Rays moved within a single win of capturing the third AL pennant in franchise history and their first since 2020. The best-of-seven series now heads south to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Game 6 on Monday night.
Rasmussen controls Cleveland’s lineup
Rasmussen set the tone from the mound, allowing just one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters across seven innings. The 31-year-old right-hander improved to 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA during this postseason run, having permitted only three total walks against 23 strikeouts in three playoff starts.
After yielding a two-out single in the opening inning, Rasmussen retired nine consecutive hitters and kept Cleveland off balance by expanding his repertoire. Having used his changeup just 12 times in Game 1, Rasmussen delivered it 27 times Sunday, throwing 21 for strikes, according to The Guardian.
“The way he limited anything was really, really impressive,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said, per The Guardian. “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.”
Rays catcher Liam Hicks echoed that sentiment after the victory. “He’s an ace, it’s as simple as that,” Hicks said, as reported by AFP. “He rises to the occasion and no moment is ever too big for him.”
Early offense builds early cushion
Tampa Bay jumped ahead immediately against Cleveland starter Parker Messick. Designated hitter Yandy Díaz opened the contest with a double off the center-field wall and later came home when Messick walked Jonny DeLuca with the bases loaded.
The Rays extended their advantage to 2-0 in the second inning when Jonathan Aranda lined an RBI single to score Ben Williamson. Messick departed after throwing 57 pitches over two innings, surrendering two runs on five hits and three walks.
In the third, Hicks looped an RBI single off reliever Tim Herrin to drive in Chandler Simpson, giving the Rays a 3-0 cushion. Tampa Bay’s leadoff hitter reached base in each of the first four innings and crossed the plate in the first three.
Cleveland attempted to rally late. Steven Kwan and José Ramírez hit singles in the seventh, setting up Chase DeLauter’s RBI single into right field. Relief pitchers Cam Booser and Tyler Wells navigated the eighth inning for Tampa Bay, with Wells striking out Ramírez to strand a runner.
Rays closer Bryan Baker entered in the ninth and worked around a leadoff walk to secure his fifth save of the postseason and his 35th consecutive converted save opportunity.
What comes next
The series continues Monday at Tropicana Field, where Tampa Bay compiled a 58-27 record this year, including the postseason. If the Guardians can force a deciding Game 7, it will take place Tuesday in Florida. The winner will face the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series starting Friday.
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt confirmed that Gavin Williams is not an option to start Game 6, though the Guardians have yet to finalize their pitching plan, Yahoo Sports reported.
“We know we’ve got our work cut out for us,” Vogt said, via The Guardian. “It’s a really good team and a really good team when they play at home, especially. We know this is going to be tough but if there’s a group I’m betting on to get this done, it’s our guys.”
