That play ended the no-hit attempt and New York’s best late chance in the same sequence. Rasmussen had already retired Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham on groundouts before Wells’ hit, so the Rays took their one-run lead into the ninth with no runner left aboard.
Baker then faced the top of the New York batting order after a pinch-hitting move. He struck out Giancarlo Stanton on a foul tip, caught Ben Rice looking and got Cody Bellinger to ground to first baseman Aranda. Baker’s 14-pitch inning preserved Rasmussen’s win and earned the save.
Aranda’s homer came with one out in the third against Gerrit Cole. The official play record credited a drive to right-center, giving Tampa Bay a lead it held for the rest of the night. The Rays also received doubles from Richie Palacios and Liam Hicks, but neither became an insurance run.
Cole kept the game close through five innings. He allowed one run on five hits, walked one and struck out five, throwing 58 of his 82 pitches for strikes. Ryan Weathers, Paul Blackburn and Brent Headrick followed without allowing another hit. Tampa Bay finished with five hits and three walks, leaving opportunities unused while its own pitching staff protected the narrow lead.
New York’s early baserunners both arrived on walks. Chisholm walked in the second and stole second base, but Grisham struck out to end the inning. Rice walked with two outs in the third, and Bellinger struck out next. Rasmussen issued no more walks and allowed no hits through seven innings.
The final box score showed 12 Yankees strikeouts, 10 against Rasmussen and two against Baker. Rice, Bellinger, Spencer Jones and Grisham each struck out twice. Wells’ double remained New York’s only hit, and neither club committed an error.
The Associated Press reported that Aaron Judge remained out with a calf injury. The series resumes Monday at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay enters Game 2 with the lead after a single third-inning swing and nine innings of pitching allowed no margin for New York to recover.
