Drew Rasmussen shuts down Cleveland as the Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 to take a 3-2 ALCS lead

The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from the World Series.

Drew Rasmussen held the Cleveland Guardians to one run over seven innings on Sunday night as the Rays won Game 5 of the American League Championship Series 3-1 at Progressive Field. Tampa Bay now leads the series 3-2 after falling behind 2-1.

Early runs hold up

The Rays scored before most of the crowd of 36,303 had settled in. Jonny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk in the first inning to bring home Yandy Diaz. Cleveland challenged the call but it stood.

Jonathan Aranda singled home a run in the second. In the third Chandler Simpson led off with a double and Liam Hicks blooped a soft single into shallow center field off lefty Tim Herrin to make it 3-0.

Tampa Bay could have had more. The Rays left seven runners on base through four innings. As it turned out three runs were plenty.

Rasmussen stays dominant

Rasmussen gave up four hits with six strikeouts and one walk. The only run he allowed came in the sixth when Steven Kwan scored on a Chase DeLauter groundout.

The right-hander has now thrown eight, six and seven innings in his three playoff starts. He has allowed three runs in 21 innings for a 1.29 ERA this October.

Cam Booser, Tyler Wells and Bryan Baker finished it off. Baker worked a scoreless ninth.

Cleveland's pitching is stretched thin

Guardians rookie starter Parker Messick lasted only two innings and gave up two runs. Cleveland had used seven pitchers in a bullpen game in Game 4 and needed six more to get through Sunday.

That is a problem with Game 6 on Monday and a possible Game 7 right after it. Kwan did his part with a highlight catch in the outfield but the Guardians bats could not answer.

Heading home

The series shifts to Tropicana Field, where the Rays had the best home record in baseball this season. Freddy Peralta and Griffin Jax are lined up on regular rest.

The winner will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.