José Ramírez makes history with the Guardians, but Tampa Bay takes the lead in the series
Dominican star third baseman José Ramírez continues to leave his mark on Major League Baseball. In the fifth game of the American League Championship Series, the Baní native managed to reach base for the seventeenth consecutive postseason game, thus setting a new historical record for the Cleveland Guardians franchise.
Despite this individual feat, the collective result did not favor the Cleveland nine, who fell 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays. With this score, the Guardians are now against the wall, trailing 3-2 in a series that forces them to win the remaining two games if they wish to secure their ticket to the World Series.
Rasmussen’s dominance and the Rays’ offense
Tampa Bay’s victory had right-hander Drew Rasmussen as its main protagonist. The pitcher completed a masterful seven-inning performance, allowing just one run and four hits. With six strikeouts and precise control, Rasmussen earned his second win of these playoffs, maintaining an impressive 1.29 ERA across three starts.
The Rays’ offense was timely from the start, capitalizing on every opportunity to take an early lead that proved definitive in the game.
The visitors’ attack began to fire from the first inning with a bases-loaded walk that allowed Yandy Díaz to score. Subsequently, the bats of Jonathan Aranda and Liam Hicks made themselves felt with RBI singles in the second and third innings, respectively, making the game 3-0.
Outlook ahead of game six
Cleveland tried to react in the sixth inning with a single by Steven Kwan, who then reached home plate after a groundout by Chase DeLauter, but the Rays’ pitching remained airtight to close the door on any comeback attempt.
- José Ramírez finished the day 1-for-4.
- For Tampa Bay, Dominican Junior Caminero hit a single in four official at-bats.
- The sixth game will take place this Monday in Florida.
The Rays will look to seal their ticket to the Fall Classic at home, while Cleveland plays for its life with the goal of forcing a seventh and decisive game. The winner of this series will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who are already waiting for an opponent after being crowned National League champions.
