Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners

Drew Rasmussen never takes it for granted when given the opportunity to pitch at T-Mobile Park. But as the Puyallup, Wash., native prepared to make his fourth career start in his home state, the subtle haze in the horizon around the Puget Sound said much more about this particular start for the Rays All-Star. Friday's 2-1 win over the Mariners carried further significance for Rasmussen, a graduate of Mt. Spokane High School, not far from the wildfires that have torched large parts of northern Spokane, destroyed an estimated 900 structures and forced an evacuation of around 67,000 people since it erupted on Aug. 1. On Friday, he said just under 50 familymembers and friends came to watch. “We have friends and family who are going through a lot right now. Some of them are even able to escape it for today and get over here and watch,” Rasmussen said. “I’m really appreciative of it. What’s going on in Spokane right now is tragic.” Regardless, there’s just something about pitching in Seattle for Rasmussen, who’s now allowed just one run over 21 2/3 innings. Against the struggling Mariners offense, Rasmussen continued his tradition of dominance against the club. He threw seven scoreless frames -- his third straight scoreless outing -- allowing just two hits and two walks along with eight strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 2.75. “He might be a little comfortable here,” said Bryan Baker, who closed out the night with his AL-leading 33rd save. He rarely ran into trouble, but did evade a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, throwing three straight high heaters -- the latter reaching 97 mph -- to strike out swinging Colt Emerson. That started a run of 16 straight batters retired to end his outing.