The Rays asserted their power tonight in both phases of the games to take a 5-1 win over the Padres and a 3-2 lead in the series, putting them one win away from their fourth title in six seasons. The power came from the bats tonight, with four homers accounting for their five runs. Judson Fabian homered in the 2nd to give them a 1-0 lead, and after Alexander Vargas homered for San Diego to tie it up in the 3rd, Jasson Dominguez blasted a 2-run shot in the top of the 4th to put the Rays ahead to stay. And in the 5th, Gavin Lux and Nate Clark, who each hit 46 HR during the regular season, went back-to-back as the Rays chased San Diego starter Jose Hernandez, who had vanquished them in Game 1. Meanwhile the Rays displayed their power on the mound as well as power pitcher extraordinaire Christian Little held the Padres down to the tune of 7 6 1 1 0 8 (this was actually a meager strikeout game by his standards), and relievers Jose Alvarado and Daniel Espino each struck out the side in the 8th and 9th. So now we head back to the Trop for Game 6, with Shane McClanahan and his 0.47 postseason ERA getting an opportunity to close it out.
