That’s how you start a postseason run. Drew Rasmussen turned in a gem in the Rays' 1-0 win in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, allowing one hit in eight scoreless innings. He came close to writing his name into the history books, not allowing that hit until two outs in the eighth inning.
Here’s a look at five stats and facts from Rasmussen’s gem.
Rasmussen became the seventh pitcher in postseason history to take a no-hit bid at least 7 2/3 innings. Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter in 2010 NLDS Game 1 and Don Larsen threw a perfect game in 1956 World Series Game 5. Bill Bevens had a bid of 8 2/3 innings in 1947 World Series Game 4. The others on the list all had no-hit bids of 7 2/3 innings, like Rasmussen: Anibal Sánchez (2019 NLCS G1), Jim Lonborg (1967 WS G2) and Red Ruffing (1942 WS G1).
Rasmussen was dominant, striking out 10 batters. That tied Tyler Glasnow in Game 2 of the 2020 ALDS for most in a postseason game in Rays history. That game was also against the Yankees.
Rasmussen induced 23 swings and misses, the most in any game of his career, regular season or playoffs. That’s tied for the most by a Tampa Bay pitcher since the start of 2024, including playoffs, with Ryan Pepiot on Sept. 18, 2024. It’s also five more swings and misses than any Rays pitcher in a postseason game in franchise history.
Rasmussen became the eighth pitcher in postseason history with at least 10 strikeouts and one or no hits allowed in a scoreless outing. He joined Blake Snell (2025 NLCS G1), Trey Yesavage (2025 ALDS G2), Max Scherzer (2019 NLCS G2), Sánchez (2013 ALCS G1), Roger Clemens (2000 ALCS G4), Mike Mussina (1997 ALCS G6) and Moe Drabowsky (1966 WS G1).
Along with closer Bryan Baker, the Rays’ pitching duo combined to hold the Yankees to one hit. That’s the fewest hits the Yankees have recorded in any postseason game in franchise history. And that’s no small sample -- Saturday was the 447th postseason game in Yankees history, 137 more than any other franchise.