Rays beat Guardians 3-1 to take 3-2 ALCS lead

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, taking a 3-2 lead and moving within one win of the World Series. Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings as Tampa Bay won its second straight game in Cleveland. The Rays scored once in each of the first three innings. Yandy Díaz reached on a double to start the first and later scored on Jonny DeLuca’s bases-loaded walk. Jonathan Aranda singled home Ben Williamson in the second, and Liam Hicks drove in Chandler Simpson in the third for a 3-0 lead. Cleveland’s only run came in the sixth, when Chase DeLauter grounded out to bring home Steven Kwan. Rasmussen gave up four hits, walked one and struck out six. Tampa Bay’s bullpen covered the final two innings, with Bryan Baker closing the game for his fifth save of the postseason. Díaz had three hits, while Aranda and Hicks had two apiece. Cleveland managed five hits. Parker Messick started for the Guardians and allowed two runs in two innings before leaving the game. Reports differ on whether he issued two or three walks; the difference did not alter the game result. The series now returns to St....