# Yandy Díaz Helps Rays Clinch Fifth AL East Title at Yankee Stadium

**Date:** 09/24/2026

Cuban first baseman and designated hitter Yandy Díaz drove in four runs with a pair of two-run singles as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on September 22, 2026, at Yankee Stadium, clinching the franchise's fifth American League East championship.

Batting leadoff as the DH, Díaz went 2-for-5 and delivered productive singles in the seventh and ninth innings. His second hit was his league-leading 175th of the season, according to Associated Press coverage of the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader.

Starter Drew Rasmussen held New York to one hit over 6 2/3 innings with 11 strikeouts. Tampa Bay improved to 96-61, opened a six-game lead with five to play, and locked up home-field advantage through the AL playoffs — the club's first East title since 2021 and its earliest division clinch on record.

The Rays previously won the division in 2008, 2010, 2020 and 2021. Díaz, from Villa Clara, finished the night batting .291 with 85 RBIs in one of his strongest power seasons in a Tampa Bay uniform.