The Yankees were held without a hit until the eighth inning Saturday night as Tampa Bay shut down New York’s offense in a 1-0 victory in Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field.
Drew Rasmussen nearly completed a no-hitter, carrying the bid into the eighth inning before Austin Wells finally broke through with a two-out double. Wells, however, was thrown out attempting to stretch the hit into a triple, ending the inning and New York’s best opportunity to generate a rally.
Rasmussen finished with 10 strikeouts while allowing one hit and two walks across 7.2 innings. Bryan Baker then retired the Yankees in order in the ninth to secure the Rays’ series-opening victory.
Tampa Bay needed only one run, with Jonathan Aranda providing it in the third inning. Aranda sent a solo home run off Gerrit Cole over the wall to give the Rays an early lead.
Cole kept New York within striking distance throughout his outing, working five innings and surrendering one run on five hits while striking out five. The Yankees bullpen then kept Tampa Bay off the scoreboard, as Ryan Weathers, Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick combined for three scoreless innings.
The Yankees will look to even the series Monday night when they return to Tropicana Field for Game 2. Cam Schlittler is scheduled to start for New York, with first pitch set for 8 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.