Drew Rasmussen allowed one hit over 6⅔ innings and struck out 11 as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 6–1 on Tuesday night, Sept. 22, in the second game of a day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, clinching their fifth American League East title, according to Associated Press accounts carried by ABC News, CBS Sports (opens in new tab), and NBC Sports (opens in new tab).
The Rays improved to 96–61, opened a six-game lead over the second-place Yankees (90–67) with five games left, and secured home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. It is Tampa Bay’s first division crown since 2021; earlier titles came in 2020, 2010, and 2008, AP reported.
Yandy Díaz delivered two-run singles in the seventh and ninth for four RBIs and his AL-leading 175th hit. Rasmussen (16–5) carried a no-hitter into the seventh before Heliot Ramos doubled; Kevin Kelly finished the inning after George Lombard Jr.’s RBI single. Rasmussen threw a career-high 114 pitches. New York had won the opener 2–0 behind Carlos Rodón.
AP noted the Rays locked up the clinch after earlier stadium-financing progress toward a new Tampa ballpark expected in 2029. Wednesday’s scheduled starters were Ian Seymour for Tampa Bay and Gerrit Cole for New York.