Rays Win ALDS Opener
Drew Rasmussen leads Rays past Yankees with dominant pitching in ALDS opener.
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Key Points
1
Rasmussen’s 10 strikeouts tied Tyler Glasnow for the most by a Rays pitcher in a postseason game; Glasnow set the mark against the Yankees in Game 2 of the 2020 ALDS.
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Rasmussen retired 15 consecutive batters after issuing a two-out walk to Ben Rice in the third. He generated 23 swinging strikes, including 10 with his changeup.
3
Rasmussen entered the postseason after a career-high 172 innings over 30 starts, with a 2.67 ERA and a 0.913 WHIP.
4
New York’s Cam Schlittler was slated to start Game 2; Tampa Bay had not yet announced its starter.
Drew Rasmussen was nearly untouchable as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 1-0 in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. ABC7NY reported that Rasmussen pitched eight innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 batters while carrying a no-hitter into the eighth. Jonathan Aranda's fourth-inning home run proved to be the difference in the pitcher's duel.
The Rays' closer Bryan Baker retired the side in the ninth to seal the victory. ESPN noted that Rasmussen's 10 strikeouts tied a franchise postseason record set by Tyler Glasnow against the same Yankees team in 2020. Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in Tampa Bay.
Rasmussen's Historic Pitching Performance
Rasmussen was dominant from start to finish, retiring 15 consecutive batters after a two-out walk in the third inning. Yahoo Sports reported he generated 23 swinging strikes, with 10 coming on his changeup. The right-hander entered the postseason in peak form, having thrown a career-high 172 innings during the regular season with a 2.67 ERA.
Austin Wells broke up the no-hitter with a double in the eighth inning. Audacy described how Wells was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple on Taylor Walls' relay throw, ending the Yankees' best scoring opportunity of the night.
One Run Enough to Win the Pitcher's Duel
Aranda's solo home run in the fourth inning provided all the offense the Rays needed. The single run held up despite the Yankees' offensive struggles, showcasing how effectively Rasmussen shut down New York's bats throughout the game. Facing a Yankees lineup missing three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge due to a calf injury put additional pressure on the rest of the order.
Bryan Baker closed out the ninth inning cleanly to secure the victory. The Rays' bullpen support proved unnecessary given Rasmussen's eight dominant innings, but the perfect ninth made the win official.
Series Shifts to Tampa Bay for Game 2
The American League Division Series now moves to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Monday's second game. The Yankees plan to start Cam Schlittler on the mound, while the Rays had not yet announced their starter heading into the matchup.
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