Drew Rasmussen's Game 5 gem puts Rays on cusp of World Series - ESPN

CLEVELAND — Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings for his second postseason win, Tampa Bay's offense kept on constant pressure and the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 Sunday night to take a 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series.

The Rays have won the last two games and will try to capture their third AL pennant and first since 2020 on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

«Momentum is big in this sport and we have it — and we're going to keep it,» outfielder Jonny DeLuca said.

Since the ALCS expanded to seven games in 1985, road teams winning Game 5 for a 3-2 lead have won the series four of five times.

Game 7 if needed would be Tuesday, and the World Series starts Friday at NL champion Milwaukee.

Rasmussen gave up four hits, walked one and struck out six.

«The way he limited anything was really, really impressive,» Rays manager Kevin Cash said. «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.»

Tampa Bay scored single runs in each of the first three innings, the first two off Parker Messick and the third against Tim Herrin. The Guardians scored in the seventh but stranded runners in the eighth and ninth innings.

Cleveland has not won an ALCS when trailing 3-2 while the Rays are 58-27 at home this year, including the postseason.

The Guardians are seeking their first World Series title since 1948.

«We know we've got our work cut out for us. It's a really good team and a really good team when they play at home, especially,» Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. «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.»

Rasmussen had given up two