Rasmussen Dominates Yankees with One-Hitter to Secure ALDS Game 1 for Rays

Drew Rasmussen set a franchise postseason record with 10 strikeouts as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 1-0 in Game 1 of the ALDS.

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 1-0 on Saturday night at Tropicana Field to take a 1-0 lead in the American League Division Series. Starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen earned the win, throwing eight scoreless innings while allowing only one hit and two walks. He set a Rays postseason franchise record with 10 strikeouts and recorded a career-high 23 swings-and-misses on 101 pitches.

Jonathan Aranda provided the game's only run by hitting a solo home run off Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, who allowed one run over five innings of work. Rasmussen retired 15 consecutive batters between the third and eighth innings, maintaining a no-hitter until Austin Wells hit a two-out double in the eighth. Wells was subsequently thrown out at third base attempting to stretch the hit into a triple.

Rasmussen utilized his changeup for 27% of his pitches, a significant increase from his 13% regular-season average, using the pitch to secure four of his strikeouts. The Yankees lineup featured eight left-handed hitters, tying a postseason record for the franchise.

Bryan Baker earned the save in the ninth inning, striking out pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice before Cody Bellinger grounded out to end the game. The victory snapped a seven-game postseason losing streak for Tampa Bay. The series continues Monday with Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler facing Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta in Game 2.