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Fan Throws Expletive at Player, Guardians Suffer From Quiet Offense and Exhausted Bullpen & More as Rays Charge Toward World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays have now moved within one win of the World Series following their 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. This tough road victory gives the Rays a strong…

By Soumya Bontra · Essentially Sports

Published: Monday, 19 October 2026 at 11:47 AM

Key Things to Know

The Tampa Bay Rays took a 3-2 ALCS lead after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5.
A hot mic captured a frustrated spectator directing an expletive at Rays player Chandler Simpson during the game.
Rays starter Drew Rasmussen dominated Cleveland's offense, allowing only one run on an RBI groundout by Chase DeLauter.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, taking a 3-2 series lead. Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen dominated on the mound, holding Cleveland's offense to just one run. The tension at Progressive Field boiled over late in the game when a hot mic captured a frustrated spectator shouting an expletive at Rays player Chandler Simpson.

Cleveland rookie starter Parker Messick lasted only two innings after allowing two earned runs, forcing manager Stephen Vogt to rely heavily on an already exhausted bullpen. Chase DeLauter drove in Steven Kwan for Cleveland's lone run. The series now moves to Tropicana Field for Game 6, where the Rays are one win away from clinching a World Series berth.

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