Rasmussen dominant as Rays clinch AL East in New York
The short version
- Rays beat Yankees 6-1 on Tuesday to clinch the AL East, their first division title since 2021.
- Drew Rasmussen took a no-hitter into the seventh and allowed one run on one hit with 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings.
- Rasmussen enters the final regular-season series with a 2.67 ERA, 174 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP.
- Tampa Bay is expected to face the Phillies next, then host AL Division Series Game 1.
Drew Rasmussen carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning as Tampa Bay beat the Yankees 6-1 to wrap up its first AL East crown since 2021.
The Tampa Bay Rays locked up the American League East on Tuesday night with a 6-1 road win over the New York Yankees, their first division title since 2021. Starter Drew Rasmussen held the Yankees without a hit until the seventh inning.
Rasmussen, a 31-year-old right-hander, finished with 6 2/3 innings of one-run, one-hit ball, striking out 11 and walking three. Speaking to Lauren Shehadi after the game, he credited the whole organization for the achievement, noting it took considerable time and effort from many people across the front office, the analytics staff and the roster.
We're excited to celebrate, but this is not the finish line, Rasmussen said, adding that the club fought hard through a long season. He also tipped his cap to the Yankees, saying there is a chance the two teams meet again in the Bronx within about a week.
On the year, Rasmussen owns a 2.67 ERA with 174 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP heading into the final series of the regular season, likely against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tampa Bay (96-61) will then host Game 1 of the AL Division Series against an opponent still to be determined.
Among the other key contributors to the Rays' season named in the report are Junior Caminero, Nick Martinez, Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Bryan Baker.