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Boone faults Wells’ baserunning; Cash praises Rasmussen after Rays’ 1–0 win

Aaron Boone addresses the Yankees’ one-hit loss, while Kevin Cash credits Drew Rasmussen and the relay that ended New York’s eighth-inning chance.

By The Sporting Page Editorial StaffTSP Original
Kevin Cash at the press conference after Rays–Yankees ALDS Game 1
Kevin Cash speaks after Tampa Bay’s 1–0 win over the Yankees in ALDS Game 1 on October 3, 2026. · Credit: MLB / postgame press-conference video still

Aaron Boone faulted Austin Wells’ decision to try for third base but said Drew Rasmussen’s pitching was the bigger problem after the Yankees lost 1–0 to the Rays in ALDS Game 1 on Saturday.

Asked about Wells being thrown out after breaking up Rasmussen’s no-hitter with two outs in the eighth, Boone called it “not a good decision there.” He said he did not know whether Wells had seen something between first and second that prompted him to continue.

Boone said several Yankees made hard contact, including Wells, but the offense produced too little. Asked whether the hitting approach needed changing, he credited Rasmussen’s changeup against New York’s left-handed hitters and his ability to locate several pitches throughout the strike zone.

“His command is just really good and kind of what sets him apart,” Boone said in SNY’s postgame interview.

Boone also praised Gerrit Cole’s execution in a close game and the bullpen’s work afterward. Cole allowed the only run on Jonathan Aranda’s third-inning homer.

Cash on Rasmussen and the relay

Rays manager Kevin Cash was asked whether he thought Rasmussen would finish a no-hitter.

“What wasn’t elite?” Cash said in MLB’s postgame interview.

Rasmussen finished eight scoreless innings with one hit allowed. Cash said the quality of the Yankees’ lineup made the performance particularly impressive.

“Made it pretty easy to kind of just sit back and watch and take some decisions out of our hands.”

Cash credited Victor Mesa Jr.’s work in right field and the relay through Taylor Walls to Junior Caminero that retired Wells at third. Cash said he was heading toward the phone as the play developed, before the throw ended the inning.

Cash also praised Aranda for capitalizing on a changeup and described Cole’s outing as excellent. Bryan Baker retired the Yankees in the ninth to complete the shutout.

Reporting is based on SNY’s three-minute Boone interview excerpt and MLB’s 2:13 Cash postgame excerpt.

Yankees–Rays Game 1: final score, statistics and scoring plays