Tampa Bay Rays Take ALDS Opener Behind Drew Rasmussen’s One Hit Gem

Rasmussen Dominates Yankees Lineup Take 1-0 ALDS Lead

Drew Rasmussen delivered a postseason performance to remember, carrying a no-hit bid into the eighth inning and leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday night at Tropicana Field.

Rasmussen allowed his first hit with two outs in the eighth inning, when Austin Wells ripped an inside sinker just inside the right-field foul line for a double. Wells attempted to advance to third on a throw from right fielder Victor Mesa Jr., but he was easily thrown out on the relay from shortstop Taylor Walls to third baseman Junior Caminero. Wells had run through the stop sign from third-base coach Luis Rojas, who raised both arms as Wells rounded second.

That double was the only hit Rasmussen surrendered in eight dominant innings. The 31-year-old right-hander struck out 10 and walked two while throwing 69 of his 101 pitches for strikes. He generated 23 swings and misses against a Yankees lineup that began the night with eight left-handed hitters.

Rasmussen also retired 15 consecutive batters during one stretch as he completely shut down a New York offense that had scored 18 runs while sweeping Boston in the Wild Card Series. The 10 strikeouts tied Tyler Glasnow’s franchise record for the most by a Rays pitcher in a postseason game.

Aranda’s Homer Provides the Difference

Jonathan Aranda supplied the game’s only run in the fourth inning, driving Gerrit Cole’s 2-2 changeup several rows deep into the right-center-field stands for his first career postseason hit. The home run proved to be all Tampa Bay needed.

Cole, making his first postseason appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2025, allowed one run on five hits over five innings while striking out five. The Yankees managed opportunities throughout the game but could not solve Rasmussen or the Rays’ bullpen. The loss marked the first time New York had been shut out 1-0 in a postseason game since the 1963 World Series.

Baker Finishes the One Hitter

Bryan Baker took over in the ninth inning and preserved the one-hit shutout with a perfect frame, striking out pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton before freezing Ben Rice with a changeup for a called third strike. Baker then retired Cody Bellinger on a grounder to complete the victory. Stanton was making his first plate appearance since April 24 after recovering from calf injuries.

Baker converted 41 of 44 save opportunities during the regular season, including his final 30, and Tampa Bay’s trust in him paid off again on the postseason stage. The victory was the Rays’ first postseason win since 2021 and came in front of a loud Tropicana Field crowd that used cowbells to drown out the traveling Yankees fans.

Rays Celebrate Return to the Trop

The game was Tampa Bay’s first postseason contest at Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton damaged the stadium’s roof in October 2024. The Rays were forced to play their 2025 home schedule across the bay at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training facility. The return to the Trop provided a memorable setting for one of the best pitching performances in franchise postseason history.

Rasmussen entered the postseason coming off a 16-5 regular season with a 2.67 ERA and his second consecutive All-Star selection. His career has included significant elbow trouble, including two surgeries for a torn ligament while he was in college and an internal-brace procedure in July 2023 that caused him to miss more than a year.

His success against the Yankees continued Saturday. Rasmussen entered the game with a 1.81 ERA in 10 career starts and one relief appearance against New York. On Sept. 22, he also carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning against the Yankees in the game that clinched the AL East for Tampa Bay. The Rays have now put themselves one victory away from advancing, while the Yankees will look to even the series Monday night.

Game 2 Set for Monday

The best-of-five ALDS shifts back into action Monday night at Tropicana Field, with the Yankees sending right-hander Cam Schlittler to the mound against Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta. Schlittler enters Game 2 as the favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award, while Peralta will try to give Tampa Bay another strong start and put the Rays in control of the series.

For one night, though, Rasmussen and the Rays’ pitching staff were more than enough. A single Aranda swing supplied the offense, and Tampa Bay’s one-hit shutout gave the Rays a 1-0 series lead over the Yankees.