The Rays lost 9-2 to the Yankees and must now win every remaining game to reach 100 victories. Tampa Bay had already clinched the division, secured home-field advantage in the playoffs and bypassed the Wild Card round; it rested regulars for the postseason.
Mason Englert allowed eight earned runs before giving way to the bullpen in the fourth inning. Ryan McMahon hit a grand slam, and Ben Rice hit two of the Yankees’ three solo homers. Cedric Mullins hit a Tampa Bay home run, his first since Aug. 28.
Kevin Cash rested Yandy Diaz, Chandler Simpson and Taylor Walls, with Victor Mesa Jr. batting leadoff. Simpson entered with a three-steal lead over Bobby Witt Jr. in the American League stolen-base race, but was one behind Nasim Nunez for the overall lead.
