Rasmussen, Fortes, Baker power the AL-leading Rays to a 1-0 win over the White Sox

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) —

Drew Rasmussen struck out 10 in six strong innings and Nick Fortes drove in the game's only run as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0 Saturday.

Bryan Baker recorded his American League-leading 31st save of the season, converting his 20th consecutive opportunity by retiring Chicago’s third, fourth and fifth hitters in the ninth.

Rasmussen (10-5) allowed four hits, all singles, and gave up one walk. Only two baserunners advanced past first base for Chicago, which had its three-game winning streak halted.

Noah Schultz (3-8) allowed three hits in five innings.

Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined to strike out 16 batters as the Rays recorded their 10th shutout victory this season and fourth in the past seven games. Saturday marked the third 1-0 victory of the season and second in the past week.

“We know how to pitch when the game is on the line,’’ Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “When you’re winning 1-0, every pitch is on the line. One swing can change that and our guys have really stepped up.’’

The Rays broke a scoreless tie in the fifth when Jonny DeLuca led off with a single, stole second with one out and advanced to third on a ground out to first by Ben Williamson. Fortes followed with a line drive to short left field, scoring DeLuca.

Rays RHP Griffin Jax (6-8, 3.74 ERA) is scheduled to face Chicago LHP Anthony Kay (7-5, 4.25) in the series finale on Sunday.

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Chicago White Sox Chase Meidroth strikes out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Bryan Baker celebrates after striking out Chicago White Sox's Randal Grichuk, not pictured, during the ninth inning to end a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays' Nick Fortes hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves starter Reynaldo López was scratched with left knee inflammation Saturday against the Nationals. He will be replaced by Martín Pérez.

The Braves made the announcement 35 minutes before the game.

López (3-1, 3.79 ERA) is coming off a strong start in Baltimore on July 26, when he threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a game the Braves eventually won in 11 innings. López started the season in the rotation, was moved to the bullpen and made 13 appearances, and returned to the rotation on June 26, where he has made six starts.

Pérez, who was scheduled to start Sunday, is 6-6 with a 3.49 ERA. The left-hander has made 16 starts and four relief appearances.

The Braves have won the first two games of the four-game series against the Nationals.

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Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez celebrates during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)