NEW YORK (AP) — Playing in perhaps baseball’s toughest division, the Tampa Bay Rays were the class of the field this season.

The thrifty Rays clinched their fifth AL East title with a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the second game of a day-night doubleheader Tuesday as Drew Rasmussen allowed one hit in 6 2/3 innings and Yandy Díaz hit a pair of two-run singles.

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