Drew Rasmussen controlled the game from the first pitch, striking out nine batters over seven scoreless innings as Tampa Bay defeated Miami 6-0 at loanDepot park. The Rays snapped a three-game losing streak behind Rasmussen's dominant performance and a three-run first inning that decided the outcome early.
Rasmussen (5-2) allowed just one hit and no walks across seven innings, carrying a 3.00 ERA. He retired 21 of 22 batters faced, needing only 87 pitches to complete his seventh inning of work. The right-hander struck out the side in the fourth inning and never allowed a runner to reach second base.
Tampa Bay seized control in the first inning with three runs off Miami starter Ryan Gusto. Palacios tripled to center, scoring both Caminero and Díaz. Vilade followed with a single to right, bringing Palacios home for a 3-0 lead that would prove insurmountable.
Gusto (0-1) absorbed his first loss of the season, allowing three runs on three hits over two innings. The Miami bullpen held Tampa Bay to three additional runs across the final seven innings, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome against Rasmussen's precision.
Tampa Bay improved to 36-23 and maintained first place in their division. Miami fell to 29-34, ending a three-game winning streak. Rasmussen now sits eight strikeouts away from 500 career strikeouts.