Puyallup native Rasmussen’s gem helps Rays beat Mariners 2-1
Jonny DeLuca and Jonathan Aranda each homered for Tampa Bay.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 07: Drew Rasmussen #57 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 07, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images)
(Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images)
SEATTLE (AP) — Drew Rasmussen pitched seven shutout innings, Jonny DeLuca and Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Friday night.
Tampa Bay Rays 2, Seattle Mariners 1: Box Score
The AL East leading Rays (69-46) have won five of six. The Mariners have dropped seven of 10, and trail the final AL wild-card spot by 2 1/2 games.
Garrett Cleavinger and Kevin Kelly worked the eighth, Bryan Baker allowed a solo homer to Julio Rodríguez in the ninth in closing for his AL-leading 33rd save.
Rasmussen (11-5), pitching in his home state, allowed no runs and two hits along with eight strikeouts. Over his last 19 innings, he’s yielded just two runs and is 4-0 since the All-Star break. He got in a bases-loaded jam in the second, but proceeded to throw three straight fastballs to strike out Colt Emerson. After walking Cal Raleigh to load the bases, Rasmussen retired the final 16 batters he faced.
Besides two solo homers, Logan Gilbert (8-7) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, four walks and six strikeouts.
Jonny DeLuca’s solo homer in the second was his eighth of the season. Jonathan Aranda’s solo blast to right field was his 15th and put the Rays up 2-0 in the third.
Up next
Rays RHP Griffin Jax (6-9, 3.63 ERA) is set to face Seattle RHP George Kirby (8-9, 3.76) on Saturday.
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Comments
4 Comments
Not to be a pessimist, but it reminds me of every other year except last year. Start slow, get some momentum, choke in July/August, out of it by 10 games in Sept.
Lots of 'gems' being spun by opposing pitchers!
This team came out of Spring Training in Arizona flat as a pancake. Its most successful stretch this season came with Raleigh on the IL. It has been the least aggressive, least dynamic team all season, all the while in post-game interviews assuring us that indeed the Mariners have a wonderful line up. A sample of least dynamic is evident in every post-game presser with Dan Wilson.