TAMPA, Fla. — Drew Rasmussen made a successful return to the rotation Sunday, working six dominant, shutout innings as the Rays completed a three-game sweep of the Yankees with a 5-4 win.

Rasmussen, making his first start since April 1, allowed one, hit, walked none and struck out seven, throwing 76 pitches, 51 strikes.

The Rays jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage, saw the Yankees close to 3-2, extended their lead to 5-2, then hung on for a tense ninth to improve to 8-7.

Rasmussen was to start in his normal slot on Tuesday, but those plans changed when his wife, Stevie, delivered their daughter a few days earlier than expected.

Rasmussen has been with the family since the Tuesday night birth, having been placed on the paternity list (through Friday) and then the family medical emergency list (for Saturday), with plans to start Sunday.

Manager Kevin Cash and pitching coach Kyle Snyder both said Rasmussen had been keeping up with his throwing and would be fine to pitch Sunday, and they were right.

Fellow starter Shane McClanahan said the team appreciated Rasmussen returning to take the mound.

“It means a ton,” McClanahan before the game. “Drew’s a competitor. Drew’s a workhorse in this clubhouse. And he’s one of my best friends.

“So to have him here (Sunday), and he’s been dealing with whatever’s been going on, and obviously don’t want to get into details of that. But it just shows how special he is as a person. I’m excited to watch him do his thing. I was very excited to see him (Sunday), and I hope the fans are excited, too.”

Rasmussen got early help from his teammates, as the Rays scored in the first two innings against Yankees righty Cam Schlittler.

Leadoff man Chandler Simpson had another big day. He got them going quickly in the opening frame, singling, going to third on Junior Caminero’s single and scoring on Yandy Diaz’s rightside ground out.

The Rays expanded the lead in the second. Cedric Mullins led off with a triple and, breaking on contact, scored on Richie Palacios’ ground out to short. Taylor Walls singled, stole second and scored on a two-out single by Simpson.

The Yankees closed the gap to 3-2 in the seventh against Tampa Bay relievers Cole Sulser and Kevin Kelly.

The Rays came right back with a run, as Simpson led off the seventh with a triple and scored on Caminero’s sac fly.

They added another run in the eighth. Jake Fraley singled, moved to second on a bunt, third on a Ben Williamson single and scored on a bunt by Walls.

This was the first time the Rays swept a series from their AL East foe since April 16-18, 2021, and the 14th time overall.

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