'3:7→1:3' Choo Shin-soo's ceremonial pitch also ends in "Another loss, another defeat." Cleveland on the brink, Tampa Bay one win away from World Series [ALCS5]

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The Tampa Bay Rays are just one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time in six years. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians, who invited Choo Shin-soo (44) to throw the ceremonial pitch hoping for a home win, have been pushed to the brink of elimination.

On the 19th (Korean time), Tampa Bay defeated Cleveland 3-1 in Game 5 of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) American League Championship Series (ALCS, best-of-seven series) held at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

The weight of the game was distinct from the start, as it was played with the series tied at two wins and two losses each. According to MLB.com, the official Major League Baseball website, in postseason history, the team that won Game 5 of a series tied at two wins and two losses has gone on to win the entire series 46 times out of 69 (66.7%). Tampa Bay secured this crucial victory on the road to take a 3-2 lead in the series, and will play the remaining Games 6 and 7 at home at Tropicana Field.

The difference in offensive power was significant. Tampa Bay hit 12 hits but held Cleveland to five hits and one run. Additionally, Tampa Bay ace Drew Rasmussen performed his role in the decisive moments. Rasmussen, who posted a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA in the regular season, dominated the Cleveland lineup by allowing four hits, one walk, striking out six, and giving up one run over seven innings. He continued his strong form from his previous two postseason starts, where he allowed two runs and struck out 17 batters over 14 innings.

Tampa Bay shook up Cleveland starter Parker Messick from the start of the game. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz opened the scoring with a double over the center fielder's head. With two outs, Chandler Simpson reached on an infield hit to load the bases, and Johnny DeLuca drew a bases-loaded walk after a full-count at-bat to take a 1-0 lead. Messick threw nearly 30 pitches in just the first inning, sweating profusely.

Tampa Bay added another run in the second inning. After leadoff hitter Ben Williamson and Diaz reached base on hits, Jonathan Aranda hit a left-field RBI single to extend the lead to 2-0. Messick ultimately left the mound after just two innings. Messick, a rookie left-hander who had been a pillar of Cleveland's starting rotation with a 12-9 record and a 2.56 ERA in the regular season, could not hold up in the most important game.

Tampa Bay added one more run in the third inning. Leadoff hitter Simpson hit a double and then stole third base. Liam Hicks hit an RBI single that dropped in front of center field against reliever Tim Herrin to make it 3-0.

The Cleveland lineup struggled to get on base against Rasmussen. Their only opportunity came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when consecutive hits by Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez created a chance, but Chase DeLauter's infield grounder allowed Ramirez to score, narrowing the gap to 1-3. In the seventh inning, leadoff hitter Nathaniel Lowe reached on a hit, but Patrick Bailey grounded into a double play, and no follow-up hits materialized.

Even after Rasmussen left the game following the seventh inning, the Tampa Bay pitching staff remained steady. In the eighth inning, Cleveland created another opportunity with a hit by Kwan but failed to score additional runs. In the ninth inning, closer Brian Bader took the mound to preserve the two-run lead and recorded his fifth save of this postseason.

For Cleveland, the disappointment was even greater. Before the game, a familiar face took the mound first. Choo Shin-soo, who spent his prime years with Cleveland from 2006 to 2012, threw the ceremonial pitch.

Choo Shin-soo initially declined the invitation to throw the ceremonial pitch due to scheduling conflicts, but Game 4 was postponed by a day due to rain, allowing his schedule to align and enabling a dramatic reunion with fans of his former team. However, Choo Shin-soo's ceremonial pitch did not lead to a Cleveland victory. After taking Game 3 to lead the series 2-1, Cleveland suffered a 3-7 loss in Game 4 and then lost two consecutive games at home, placing them in danger of being eliminated from the series.

Conversely, Tampa Bay won two consecutive games after falling behind 1-2, completely reversing the momentum. They now return home. With just one more victory, they will secure their third American League championship and World Series berth in franchise history, following their titles in 2008 and 2020.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original