Drew Rasmussen delivered the defining start of the ALCS Game 5 on Sunday night, throwing seven innings of one-run ball as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 at Progressive Field to seize a 3-2 series lead. The Rays are now one win away from their third American League pennant — and their first since 2020 — with Game 6 set for Monday night at Tropicana Field.

Rasmussen carves through Cleveland’s lineup

Rasmussen, the 31-year-old right-hander, allowed one run over seven innings for his second postseason win, Tampa Bay’s offense kept on constant pressure throughout the night, and the Rays’ bullpen slammed the door. After Chase DeLauter’s two-out single in the first, Rasmussen retired nine straight batters and allowed only one other baserunner through the sixth, according to the Associated Press report published by NBC Sports.

The final line on Rasmussen: four hits, one walk, six strikeouts. He is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three postseason starts, with 23 strikeouts and three walks. His Game 5 outing came with a scare — he carried a shutout into the sixth inning, and ended his night by inducing a game-sealing groundball double play off the bat of Patrick Bailey, per USA Today’s account of the game.

“Rasmussen powered through 21 outs of Game 5, dominating the Cleveland Guardians for five innings, taking their best punch in the sixth and then ending his night with one more perfect changeup,” USA Today reported.

Rays strike in each of the first three innings

Tampa Bay did its damage early. The Rays scored single runs in each of the first three innings, the first two off Guardians starter Parker Messick and the third against reliever Tim Herrin, the AP reported.

The scoring sequence, per the AP and Reuters accounts:

• 1st inning: Jonny DeLuca worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home Yandy Diaz, who had three hits and a run on the night.
• 2nd inning: Jonathan Aranda’s single scored Ben Williamson.
• 3rd inning: Liam Hicks’ RBI single off Herrin scored Chandler Simpson to make it 3-0.

It was more than enough for Rasmussen. Cleveland never mounted a sustained threat after the sixth inning, managing only a combined five-hitter against the Rays’ staff.

Messick’s night ends after a career-low two innings

The Guardians’ rookie starter Parker Messick, the 25-year-old who had never pitched more than 138⅓ innings in a single season, was chased after a career-low two innings. He allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts over 57 pitches — the fewest pitches in his 43 big-league starts, according to Reuters.

Cam Booser and Tyler Wells handled the eighth for Tampa Bay, with Wells striking out José Ramírez to strand a runner, and Bryan Baker closed out the ninth for his 35th straight save conversion — his fifth of this postseason. Chase DeLauter walked to begin the ninth and Jo Adell stood on second base when Travis Bazzana hit a game-ending groundout, per the AP.

Kwan’s heroics can’t save Cleveland

If there was a bright spot for the Guardians, it was Steven Kwan, who had two of Cleveland’s five hits and made two fine defensive plays, according to the AP. He threw out Taylor Walls trying to score from second base on Aranda’s fourth-inning single to left, then made a leaping catch at the center-field wall on Victor Mesa Jr.’s eighth-inning drive, saving a run.

Still, it was not enough. The loss means Cleveland has never won an ALCS when trailing 3-2, and history is firmly against the Guardians: since the ALCS expanded to seven games in 1985, road teams winning Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have gone on to win the series four of five times.

What comes next

The Rays will try to capture their third AL pennant — and their first trip to the World Series since 2020 — on Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Game 7, if needed, would be Tuesday, and the World Series starts Friday against the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers, who await the winner of the series.

It has been a startling turnabout for Tampa Bay, which stared at a 2-1 series deficit after three games. Then came the Friday rainout that pushed Game 4 back and set up a grueling stretch of four games in four days — and the Rays have now won two straight in Cleveland to flip the series on its head, per USA Today.

FAQ

What was the final score of ALCS Game 5?

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Progressive Field, taking a 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Who was the winning pitcher in ALCS Game 5?

Drew Rasmussen earned the win for Tampa Bay, pitching seven innings with one run allowed on four hits, one walk and six strikeouts. He is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA this postseason.

When is ALCS Game 6?

Game 6 is Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays can clinch their third AL pennant with a win; Game 7, if needed, would be played Tuesday.

Who did the Rays score their runs off in Game 5?

Tampa Bay scored single runs in each of the first three innings — the first two off Guardians starter Parker Messick and the third off reliever Tim Herrin. Yandy Diaz, Ben Williamson and Chandler Simpson scored the three runs.