Sept. 22, 2026, 10:28 p.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Rays clinched the American League East title by beating the New York Yankees, 6-1, within the Bronx on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The win additionally clinches the highest file within the AL for the Rays and the first-round bye that goes with it.
The division win means the Rays can sit again and relaxation whereas division rivals Boston and the Yankees seemingly battle it out earlier than having to face one among them.
The Rays pulled it off within the night time cap of a doubleheader after getting shutout by the Yankees earlier within the day. Drew Rasmussen virtually returned the favor. The Rays right-hander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Tuesday night time at Yankee Stadium.
Heliot Ramos broke up the no-hitter with a double to left and Rays supervisor Kevin Money shortly pulled Rasmussen to avoid wasting him for the playoffs.
Rasmussen has had two Tommy John surgical procedures, the primary at Oregon State, the place he additionally threw an ideal sport in 2015, and the second in September 2017 shortly after the Rays drafted him. He wanted a 3rd process, for a flexor pressure, in 2023. None of it has slowed his stuff down. His fastball has touched the higher 90’s, and scouts have in contrast his fast, over-the-top arm motion to Curt Schilling’s. He is a two-time All-Star, was the American League’s Pitcher of the Month in August 2022 and once more in June of this season. When he posted a 0.82 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 4 walks over 5 begins. Coming into Tuesday, he was 7-4 with a 2.45 ERA and 94 strikeouts over 92 innings this season.
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