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09/22 21:35 CDT Drew Rasmussen takes no-hitter into 7th and Ks 11 as Rays
clinch AL East with 6-1 win over Yankees
Drew Rasmussen takes no-hitter into 7th and Ks 11 as Rays clinch AL East with
6-1 win over Yankees
By LARRY FLEISHER
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) --- Drew Rasmussen allowed his only hit in the seventh inning and
struck out 11 as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on Tuesday in
the second game of a day-night doubleheader to clinch their fifth AL East title.
The Rays (96-61) secured home-field advantage throughout the American League
playoffs and took their first division crown since 2021, when they won 100
games. Tampa Bay also earned AL East championships in the pandemic-shortened
2020 season along with 2010 and 2008, when the team had its first winning
season after entering the league as an expansion franchise in 1998.
Yandy Daz hit two-run single off reliever John Schreiber in the seventh and
had another two-run single in the ninth for his AL-leading 175th hit. Tampa Bay
opened a six-game lead over the second-place Yankees (90-67) with five to play.
In the opener, Carlos Rodn allowed three hits in eight sharp innings as New
York delayed Tampa Bay's division celebration with a 2-0 victory.
Taylor Walls started the three-run seventh with a bunt single against Max Fried
(5-5) when first base was left uncovered. Ryan Vilade hit an RBI groundout in
the third after Daz's flyball moved runners to second and third.
Rasmussen (16-5) was nine outs from joining Matt Garza as Tampa Bay pitchers
with a no-hitter when he gave up a leadoff double to Heliot Ramos on his 97th
pitch. Garza held the Detroit Tigers hitless at Tropicana Field on July 26,
2010.
After allowing Ramos' hit to left field, Rasmussen got the next two outs before
walking Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a full count. Kevin Kelly entered and permitted
rookie George Lombard Jr.'s RBI single before retiring Austin Wells on a
groundout.
Rasmussen threw a career-high 114 pitches, 72 for strikes. He threw first-pitch
strikes to 17 of 24 hitters and notched his fourth career double-digit
strikeout game.
Rasmussen allowed one hit for the fourth time this year. He also yielded just
one hit in six innings against the Yankees on April 12.
Cam Booser and Bryan Baker pitched an inning apiece to finish the three-hitter.
Fried allowed four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings.
The Yankees were held to three hits or fewer for the 13th time this year.
Up next Tampa Bay RHP Ian Seymour (9-7, 4.38 ERA) opposes New York RHP Gerrit Cole (9-9, 3.63) on Wednesday night. ___ See AP's full MLB coverage here
Up next Tampa Bay RHP Ian Seymour (9-7, 4.38 ERA) opposes New York RHP Gerrit Cole (9-9, 3.63) on Wednesday night. ___ See AP's full MLB coverage here
