Drew Rasmussen just turned in an absolute gem, pitching seven dominant innings to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a crucial 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday night. This monster performance gives the Rays a 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series, pushing them to the brink of their third AL pennant.
Rasmussen Locked Down Cleveland When It Mattered Most
Rasmussen was simply sensational, allowing only one run over his seven innings on the mound. This wasn’t just a good start; it was his second postseason win, and he completely stifled the Guardians’ offense after giving up two runs over six innings in the opener. After Chase DeLauter’s two-out single in the first, the 31-year-old right-hander retired nine straight batters and allowed just one other baserunner through the sixth. He finished with four hits allowed, one walk, and six strikeouts. His postseason record now stands at an unbelievable 2-0 with a ridiculous 1.29 ERA in three starts, boasting 23 strikeouts against only three walks. This guy is dialed in.
The Rays bullpen picked up right where he left off, too. Cam Booser and Tyler Wells handled the eighth, with Wells striking out José Ramírez to strand a runner. Then Bryan Baker came in for the ninth, converting his 35th straight save chance this season, his fifth of the postseason, to close it out.
Rays Offense Puts on Constant Pressure, Guardians Can’t Keep Up
While Rasmussen was busy shutting down the Guardians, the Rays’ offense was relentless. They put constant pressure on Cleveland’s pitchers, scoring single runs in each of the first three innings. Parker Messick got shelled for the first two, and Tim Herrin gave up the third. The Rays’ leadoff hitter reached base in the first four innings, scoring in the first three frames, and got on base six times overall. This constant threat is no fluke, either: Rays leadoff batters have reached in 10 of 14 innings going back to Saturday’s game.
Yandy Díaz led the charge with three hits, including a line-drive double that kicked off the first inning and later scored on a bases-loaded walk by Messick to Jonny DeLuca. Jonathan Aranda and Liam Hicks each had two hits and drove in a run, with Aranda’s single driving in Ben Williamson for a 2-0 lead in the second, and Hicks looping a curveball from Herrin to score Chandler Simpson in the third.
On the Cleveland side, Messick had his shortest outing in the big leagues, not even making it past the third inning for the second time in four postseason starts. The 25-year-old left-hander went just two innings, giving up two runs, five hits, and three walks, throwing only 34 strikes out of 57 pitches. Steven Kwan did try to keep the Guardians in it with two of their measly five hits and two great defensive plays, including throwing out Taylor Walls at home. But it just wasn’t enough against the Rays’ consistent attack.
The AL Pennant Is Within Reach and History Favors the Rays
With the 3-1 win, the Rays now have a 3-2 lead in the series, heading back home to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Game 6 on Monday. They’ll be looking to secure their third AL pennant, their first since 2020. This is huge, because history is definitely on their side here. Since the ALCS expanded to seven games back in 1985, road teams that win Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have gone on to win the series four out of five times. And get this: Cleveland has never won an ALCS when they’ve been trailing 3-2.
Game 7, if needed, would be Tuesday, with the World Series kicking off Friday against NL champion Milwaukee. The Rays are one win away from the World Series, and the Guardians are against the ropes. It’s going to be an intense Monday night, you don’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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