Drew Rasmussen struck out 11 and allowed just one hit as the Tampa Bay Rays clinched the AL East title with a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The win, in the second game of a day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, secured the Rays’ fifth AL East crown and home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs.
Rasmussen came within eight outs of a no-hitter before giving up a leadoff double to Heliot Ramos in the seventh. The right-hander threw a career-high 114 pitches, 72 for strikes, and recorded his fourth career game with double-digit strikeouts. He retired 17 of the first 18 batters and kept the Yankees’ offense largely in check.
Yandy Díaz was a major contributor, driving in four runs with two two-run singles off Yankees reliever John Schreiber in the seventh and ninth innings. His ninth-inning hit gave him an AL-leading 175 hits on the season. The Rays opened a six-game lead over the second-place Yankees with five games remaining.
Tampa Bay improved to 96-61, clinching their first division title since 2021 when they won 100 games. This championship marks their fifth AL East title, also achieved in 2008, 2010, and the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The Rays entered the league as an expansion franchise in 1998 and have steadily grown into a consistent playoff presence.
The Yankees took the opener of the doubleheader, a 2-0 victory behind Carlos Rodón’s eight innings of three-hit pitching, temporarily delaying the Rays’ division celebration.
In the Rays’ decisive game, Taylor Walls started a three-run seventh inning with a bunt single against Max Fried, exploiting a defensive lapse when first base was left uncovered. Ryan Vilade added an RBI groundout in the third after Díaz’s fly ball moved runners into scoring position.
Rasmussen faced his toughest moment after the seventh-inning hit, walking Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a full count before Kevin Kelly allowed an RBI single to George Lombard Jr. However, the Rays maintained control and extended their lead with Díaz’s ninth-inning two-run single.
The Rays’ pitching staff has been a cornerstone of their success, with Rasmussen’s performance exemplifying their depth. He now has a 16-5 record this season, continuing a strong run since returning from injury.
Elsewhere in the majors on Tuesday, Zack Wheeler struck out 11 and set a franchise record for the Philadelphia Phillies by fanning seven consecutive batters at the start of the game. Bryson Stott’s eighth-inning RBI single helped Philadelphia edge Milwaukee 6-4, inching closer to a playoff berth. Brandon Marsh contributed a three-RBI game for the Phillies, who hold the final National League wild-card spot.
In Pittsburgh, Jared Jones allowed just one hit over seven innings as the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0. Jones, back from Tommy John surgery, tied his season high with nine strikeouts and improved his September ERA to 1.13 in four starts.
Washington’s CJ Abrams hit two homers, including a tiebreaking two-run shot in the seventh, to lead the Nationals to a 3-1 win over Detroit. The Tigers dropped to 2-5 in their last seven games, while the Nationals won for the seventh time in ten contests.
The Cincinnati Reds blanked the NL East champion Atlanta Braves 4-0 as Elly De La Cruz closed in on a 30-30 season. Brandon Williamson threw six strong innings to earn the win.
Back at Yankee Stadium, the Rays’ victory not only secured the AL East but also guaranteed home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs, a significant advantage heading into the postseason. Tampa Bay’s next scheduled game faces the challenge of maintaining momentum as they close out the regular season.
According to Yahoo Sports.
