In a quest for the Cy Young Award

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Though the winning streak was snapped, the argument continues.

With a no-decision on Aug. 30 at home against San Diego, Tampa Bay Rays’ righthander Drew Rasmussen turned in his 15^th quality start of the season and continued to lay a firm foundation as a legitimate Cy Young award candidate.

Coming into that start against the Padres, Rasmussen had won a career-high seven straight and among the AL leaders in wins and ERA. Quietly, the 31-year-old native of Puyallup, Wash. has entered the conversation for that coveted post-season award.

Though the Rays earned a dramatic 5-4 win over the Padres before 19,576 in Tropicana Field, Rasmussen turned in six strong innings, allowed two runs and lowered his ERA to 2.95. That’s fifth best in the American league and 11th overall among MLB pitchers.

So effective has been Rasmussen, he’s quickly climbing the ladder in the Rays’ record books. With six strikeouts against the Padres, he passed Tyler Glasnow for ninth place among strikeout leaders in franchise history.

With the 11^th inning win on Aug 30, the Rays recorded their franchise-tying 14th series sweep and those 14 are the most in franchise history before Sept. 1. In six of the 14 sweeps, Rasmussen was the starting pitcher in the series finale to complete the sweep.

For added incentive, he faced Padres’ lefthander Robby Ray, who won a Cy Young while pitching for Toronto in 2021. That season, Ray went 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA.

“Unfortunately, (Ray) won that award while pitching against us in our decision,” Rasmussen said. “He has a really good arm and he threw really well against us (on Aug. 30). I really don’t know him but have heard many good things about him.”

Aside from opposing a previous Cy Young winner, Rasmussen cited the emotions and dynamics of a pennant race. For the second consecutive game, the Rays turned in a theatrical win and displayed how good teams win games during the late, critical weeks of the season.

After dispatching the wildcard hopeful Padres in the first two games of this series, it appeared San Diego would rebound.

Up 3-1 with two in the ninth and Mason Miller on the mound, a win seemed certain. After Junior Caminero led off with a single up the middle, Miller reached back and struck out pinch hitter Liam Hicks. Then, Chandler Simpson flew to left and Jonny DeLucca stood between salvation for the Padres and more disappointment.

Then, DeLucca left lifted a fly near the left field foul pole. Samad Taylor proceeded to reach the ball. When his glove touched the yellow line atop the left field fence, the ball squirted loose and popped over the fence for a game-tying to two-run blast.

The Rays concluded the sweep when Jorge Mateo drilled a bases-loaded single to left in the 11^th inning and that secured the victory.

“It’s belief we have at the end of the day,” said DeLucca of his team’s character. “It’s the versatility we display in every single game and no matter the score. I think every one of these players believes in each other.”

The confidence and self-assurance now displayed down the stretch augments Rasmussen’s ability to keep his team in each game he takes to the mound. The ebb and how of the San Diego series bears testament to the temperament of this contingent of Tampa Bay Rays. Within this disposition, there is a belief in the clubhouse that a certain destiny awaits.

To that end, Rasmussen appears at the center of the Rays’ universe and his ability to maintain a stellar season remains at the core of why this team could be destined for October baseball.

Next … The New York visit Tropicana Field and help conclude the current home stand. In the series opener, look for lefty Ian Seymour (9-5, 4.21) to oppose righty Robert Stock (0-3, 7.40). In the middle game, it’s righty Freddy Peralta (6-11, 5.11) going for the Rays and against his former team. He draws righty Sean Manaea (4-6, 4.55). In the finale, starters for each team were not announced prior to the series. Then, the Rays hit the road for four against the Rangers and three in Atlanta.

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