The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 on Sunday evening in Cleveland. The Rays now lead the best-of-seven ALCS 3-2 and are one win away from winning the American League Pennant and advancing to the World Series.
Drew Rasmussen (2-0, 1.29) allowed one earned run on four hits in seven innings of work while striking out six and walking one to set the tone for the Rays. A bullpen combination of Cam Booser, Tyler Wells and Bryan Baker pithed the final two innings of shutout baseball to get the win. Baker's scoreless ninth earned him his fifth save of the postseason.
The Rays got on the board in the first inning thanks to a bases loaded walk to Jonny DeLuca from Cleveland starter Parker Messick (0-3, 3.95). He allowed two earned runs on five hits in just two innings of work. In the second Jonathan Aranda hit a RBI single to make it 2-0, then in the third Liam Hicks hit a RBI single to make it 3-0. The Guardians only run came when Chase DeLauter hit a RBI groundout in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Aranda finished the game 2-for-5 with a RBI - Hicks and Simpson both had two hits as well, while Yandy Diaz led the Rays with three hits. All told the Rays out-hit the Guardians 12-5 en route to a two-run win to get them one win away from advancing to their third World Series in franchise history.
The series now shifts to Tropicana Field where games six will be on Monday night. The Rays will try to eliminate Cleveland when they meet at 8:08 PM on Monday - Freddy Peralta (1-0, 0.79) has been announced as the starter for the Rays. First pitch Monday is scheduled for 8:08 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 7:00 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES