Rays clinch ALCS with 3-1 win over Guardians in Game 5

Drew Rasmussen's seven‑inning performance helped Tampa Bay take a 3‑2 series lead and a chance to close out the ALCS at home.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:40:30 GMT

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, giving the Rays a 3-2 series lead and a chance to clinch the pennant at home on Monday.

What happened

The Rays opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Jonny DeLuca drew a bases‑loaded walk against Parker Messick. Jonathan Aranda added an RBI single in the second, and Liam Hicks drove in a run in the third, giving Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. Cleveland scored on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the sixth to make it 3-1. The Guardians loaded the bottom of the ninth with a walk to Chase DeLauter, but Jo Adell’s grounder and a subsequent foul out ended the game.

What the reports add

Bleacher Report noted that the Rays’ offense “was all Tampa Bay through the majority of the game” and highlighted a defensive throw by Steven Kwan that prevented further runs in the fourth and ninth innings. The New York Post reported that Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings, striking out six and walking one, and that he is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three postseason starts.

What was said

Bleacher Report described the game as “a strong performance from starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen.” The New York Post quoted the outlet’s description that “Rasmussen shut down the Guardians’ offense after allowing two runs over six innings in the opener.”

How it came about

The victory follows a 7-3 Rays win in Game 4 that tied the series 2-2, as reported in Felo News’s earlier coverage of the ALCS (Rays beat Guardians 7-3 to tie ALCS at 2‑2). The series began with Cleveland taking a 1-0 lead after a 7-3 win in Game 1 (Guardians rally past Rays 7-3 to win ALCS Game 1). The Rays now aim to capture their third AL pennant and first since 2020.

Key facts

The Rays won Game 5 of the ALCS 3-1. (bleacherreport.com)
Drew Rasmussen pitched seven innings, allowing one run. (nypost.com)
The win gives Tampa Bay a 3-2 series lead and a chance to clinch at home. (nypost.com)