Rays open 5-game AL East lead, beat Athletics 10-1 for 6th straight win
Tampa Bay Rays extended their lead at the top of the American League East standings by defeating the Athletics 10-1 on Thursday, marking their sixth consecutive victory. Pitcher Drew Rasmussen was instrumental in the win, tossing five innings of perfect baseball. The Rays have opened a five-game lead in the division and are on track for an AL East title, their first since 2021.
The series was also a 16th sweep for the Rays, the most by any team since the 2022 LA Dodgers. Rasmussen's performance was key, as he allowed only four hits and two walks in his five scoreless innings. The Rays' offense, led by Liam Hicks, Chandler Simpson, Richie Palacios, and Taylor Walls, contributed ten RBIs in the game. Simpson was particularly impressive, hitting a two-run single that broke the tie, and raising his batting average to an impressive .311.
The Rays have won 11 of their last 12 games, moving to within 34 games of a .500 record for the first time since the 2023 season.
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