# Rays miss first AL East clinch chance

> Tampa Bay loses to Yankees despite another quality start from Nick Martinez, but needs just one win to secure the division.
- Title: Rays miss first AL East clinch chance · Mlb | Shortify
- Summary: Tampa Bay loses to Yankees despite another quality start from Nick Martinez, but needs just one win to secure the division. The Rays remain one win away from…
- Keywords: tampa bay rays, new york yankees, al east, nick martinez, division title, mlb, yankee stadium, carlos rodon, drew rasmussen, clinch, sports, Rays
- Source: Mlb — https://mlb.com/news/nick-martinez-strong-in-rays-loss-to-yankees
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tampa bay rays, new york yankees, al east, nick martinez, division title, mlb, yankee stadium, carlos rodon, drew rasmussen, clinch, sports
## Rays one win from AL East crown
Tampa Bay needs just one victory in their four-game series at Yankee Stadium to secure their first division title since 2021.
## Martinez delivers quality start
Nick Martinez held the Yankees to two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts over six innings, but the Rays lost 2-0 in the series opener.

> Time to just go forward, right? Move forward. Do what we can to win this next game.
## Two pitches cost Martinez the game
Ben Rice hit a leadoff double in the fourth inning, followed by Cody Bellinger's two-run homer on the next pitch, both on sinkers that leaked over the middle.

> Those guys are two guys that are for sure going to capitalize.
## Rodon outduels Martinez
Yankees starter Carlos Rodon struck out eight over eight innings, keeping New York alive in the AL East race while the Rays managed only three singles.

> He was really good. He was in the strike zone the whole time.
## Rasmussen ready for nightcap
The Rays plan to start Drew Rasmussen in Tuesday night's second game after giving him four days rest, with the team winning his last 11 starts since the All-Star break.

> If he does what he normally does, we're going to be in a really good spot.
## Key takeaway

The Rays remain one win away from their first AL East title since 2021, with multiple chances remaining in their series at Yankee Stadium.