One run was all it took. Drew Rasmussen made sure of that, and Tampa Bay beat Cleveland 1-0 at Tropicana Field in a game decided by a single bunt single in the fifth.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| TB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 1 | 6 | 0 |
Rasmussen was the story for seven innings. He allowed just one hit and one walk, striking out nine, and did not allow a run. Bryan Baker followed with a scoreless ninth, working around a walk to close it out. Rasmussen improved to 9-5 on the season with a 3.07 ERA, and Baker picked up the save.
The only run of the game came in the fifth inning. Cedric Mullins reached on a bunt single to first, and Chandler Simpson scored, breaking a scoreless tie and giving Tampa Bay a lead it would not relinquish. Simpson finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Mullins drove in the game's only run on his 1-for-3 night.
Cleveland starter Parker Messick pitched well enough to win most nights. He went 7.2 innings, allowing just one run on six hits with no walks and six strikeouts, but it was the one run he couldn't overcome. He took the loss, falling to 8-6 with a 2.59 ERA. Cleveland managed only one hit as a team, unable to generate any offense against Rasmussen and the Rays bullpen.
The win extended Tampa Bay's winning streak to three games, improving the Rays to 62-43 and holding them atop their division. Cleveland's loss dropped the Guardians to 54-53, extending their losing streak to five games.