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MLB

Rays–Guardians Final: ALCS Game 5 Score and Play-by-Play

Tampa Bay beat Cleveland 3–1 in ALCS Game 5, taking a 3–2 series lead. The final inning record, scoring plays and player statistics remain here.

By The Sporting Page Editorial Staff
The Sporting PageFinalALCS GAME 5
TB3CLE1FINALSaved article snapshot Game updates and statistics ↓
Jonathan Aranda runs from the batter’s box in a gray Tampa Bay uniform during ALCS Game 5 in Cleveland on October 18, 2026.
Jonathan Aranda during ALCS Game 5 against Cleveland at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026. Image supplied with MLB’s second-inning RBI highlight. · Credit: MLB.com

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in ALCS Game 5 on Sunday, October 18, at Progressive Field. Drew Rasmussen allowed one run over seven innings, and the Rays took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, moving one victory from the World Series.

Tampa Bay scored once in each of the first three innings. Jonny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk, Jonathan Aranda hit an RBI single and Liam Hicks singled home Chandler Simpson. Cleveland scored in the sixth when Chase DeLauter’s groundout brought home Steven Kwan. Rasmussen finished with four hits allowed, one walk and six strikeouts.

Tyler Wells struck out José Ramírez with Kwan aboard to end the eighth. Bryan Baker worked a scoreless ninth for the save, finishing a game in which Tampa Bay outhit Cleveland 12-5. Game 6 is Monday, October 19, at Tropicana Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:08 p.m. MDT.

Read the full Rays–Guardians Game 5 recap, reaction and box score and the Kevin Cash and Stephen Vogt POSTGAME reaction.

FINALFinal record · manual refresh availableMLB Gameday ↗

Official MLB final record; provider update October 18, 2026, 5:58:15 p.m. MDT. Scoring decisions may be revised.

Tampa Bay Rays3AWAY · TB
FINALProgressive Field
Tampa Bay leads ALCS 3-2
Cleveland Guardians1HOME · CLE

Final inning line score

Team123456789RHE
TB1110000003120
CLE000001000150

Scoring plays

  1. Top 1Patrick Bailey challenged (pitch result), call on the field was confirmed: Jonny DeLuca walks. Yandy Díaz scores. Ryan Vilade to 3rd. Chandler Simpson to 2nd.TB 1, CLE 0
  2. Top 2Jonathan Aranda singles on a ground ball to left fielder Steven Kwan. Ben Williamson scores. Yandy Díaz to 2nd.TB 2, CLE 0
  3. Top 3Liam Hicks singles on a fly ball to center fielder Petey Halpin. Chandler Simpson scores.TB 3, CLE 0
  4. Bottom 6Chase DeLauter grounds out to first baseman Jonathan Aranda. Steven Kwan scores. José Ramírez to 2nd.TB 3, CLE 1

Sources and notes

  1. MLB Gameday: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/849817