Yankees fall 1-0 to Rays in ALDS Game 1 as Josh Hart shares roller‑coaster reaction

The New York Yankees lost 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday night at Tropicana Field.

The lone run came in the third inning when Jonathan Aranda blasted a 417‑foot solo home run off Gerrit Cole. Cole, who started for the Yankees, allowed five hits, one walk and five strikeouts over five innings before being pulled.

Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen dominated the remainder of the game, pitching eight scoreless innings with ten strikeouts, two walks and just one hit. The hit came in the eighth inning when Austin Wells singled down the right‑field line, breaking up Rasmussen’s no‑hit bid. Wells attempted to stretch the double into a triple, ignored third‑base coach Luis Rojas’ signal to stop at second, and was thrown out at third by Junior Caminero, ending New York’s best scoring chance.

New York’s offense, which had produced 18 runs in a two‑game wild‑card sweep of Boston, managed only the single hit. The lineup also missed captain Aaron Judge, who remained out with a right calf strain.

Knicks star Josh Hart posted a series of tweets that mirrored the game’s ebb and flow. He opened with “Let’s go Yanks!” and “Let’s get it 4‑5,” referencing Cole’s start. As the Rays’ ace Rasmussen shut down the Yankees, Hart wrote, “Alright let’s put some hits together!” and later, “Please don’t get no hit.” After Wells’ ill‑fated baserunning, Hart’s final reaction read, “WHY ARE YOU GOING FOR THIRD??”

Hart’s posts captured the mix of hope and disappointment felt by many fans watching the game. The Yankees will look to rebound in Game 2 on Monday, with Cam Schlittler slated to start for New York.