In a decisive day‑night doubleheader, the Tampa Bay Rays clinched the American League East with a 6‑1 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen delivered a masterful performance, striking out 11 batters and surrendering only a single hit before exiting in the seventh inning.
Rasmussen’s near‑no‑hit bid
Rasmussen, who improved his record to 16‑5, was just nine outs away from joining Matt Garza as the only Rays pitchers to carry a no‑hit bid into the seventh inning. On his 97th pitch, he gave up a leadoff double to Heliot Ramos, ending the bid. After the hit, Rasmussen quickly retired the next two batters and walked Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a full count before being relieved.
Reliever Kevin Kelly entered the game, allowing a single by rookie George Lombard Jr. before finishing the inning with a ground‑out. Rasmussen finished with a career‑high 114 pitches, 72 of which were strikes, and logged his fourth career double‑digit strikeout game.
Offensive support and key moments
The Rays’ offense provided ample cushion. Yandy Díaz delivered a two‑run single in the seventh and added another two‑run single in the ninth, marking his league‑leading 175th hit of the season. Taylor Walls sparked the three‑run seventh with a bunt single against Max Fried, taking advantage of an uncovered first base. Ryan Vilade contributed an RBI groundout in the third inning after Díaz’s fly ball moved runners into scoring position.
Overall, Tampa Bay built a six‑game lead over the second‑place Yankees, who fell to 90‑67 with five games remaining in the regular season.
Yankees’ struggle
New York’s starter, Carlos Rodón, pitched eight solid innings in the opener of the doubleheader, limiting the Rays to two runs in a 2‑0 win that delayed Tampa Bay’s celebration. However, the Yankees were held to three hits or fewer for the 13th time this year, underscoring the Rays’ dominant pitching staff.
Max Fried, the Yankees’ starter in the clinching game, allowed four runs and six hits over 6 2/3 innings, unable to contain the Rays’ timely hitting.
Looking ahead
With the division title secured, the Rays now enjoy home‑field advantage throughout the American League playoffs. Their next challenge comes on Wednesday night when right‑hander Ian Seymour (9‑7, 4.38 ERA) faces Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (9‑9, 3.63 ERA) in the series finale.
The victory adds to Tampa Bay’s recent championship history, joining titles earned in the pandemic‑shortened 2020 season and earlier crowns in 2010 and 2008. The Rays’ first division win since 2021 highlights a resurgence for the franchise, which entered the league as an expansion team in 1998.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
