Rasmussen carries Rays past Yankees as Aranda’s homer decides ALDS opener

Jonathan Aranda’s third-inning home run was all the offense Tampa Bay needed Saturday. Drew Rasmussen and Bryan Baker made the slim lead last, combining on a one-hit shutout as the Rays beat the New York Yankees 1–0 in the American League Division Series opener at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Rasmussen struck out 10 in eight scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks. He came within four outs of a no-hitter before Austin Wells doubled down the right-field line with two outs in the eighth. Wells was thrown out trying for third, ending the inning and Rasmussen’s night.

That left Baker three outs to protect the lead. He struck out two in a scoreless ninth to earn the save.

Aranda supplied the only run with a solo homer off Gerrit Cole in the bottom of the third. His drive to right-center traveled a projected 417 feet and was his first career postseason hit, according to MLB’s report. Cole allowed one run in five innings, but New York never answered.

Rasmussen’s 10 strikeouts matched the Rays’ postseason single-game record, set by Tyler Glasnow against the Yankees in the 2020 ALDS. The outing gave Tampa Bay a 1–0 series advantage without requiring a big offensive night.

Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m. Eastern at Tropicana Field. MLB lists Freddy Peralta as Tampa Bay’s scheduled starter opposite New York’s Cam Schlittler.

Sources: MLB’s Game 1 report and official game summary.