Rodón allows three hits in eight sharp innings as Yanks beat Rays 2-0 in doubleheader opener

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Rodón allowed three hits in eight sharp innings and the New York Yankees prevented the Tampa Bay Rays from clinching the AL East title with a 2-0 victory in the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday.

The Yankees (90-66) moved six games ahead of the Red Sox for the AL’s top wild-card spot. Tampa Bay (95-61) has a magic number of two to clinch the AL East for the fifth time in team history and first since 2021.

Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez (15-5) and also started a key double play to end the sixth by throwing out Victor Mesa Jr. at first.

Rodón (7-3) struck out eight and walked none while completing eight innings for the first time since July 11, 2025, against the Cubs. The left-hander, who recorded his 100th win, became the 18th active pitcher to reach 1,500 career strikeouts when he fanned Jonny DeLuca on a slider for the second out of the eighth.

Rodón also struck out AL MVP candidate Junior Caminero on a slider in the dirt in the seventh with a runner on after reaching 98 mph on the previous two pitches.

Rodón threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of 25 hitters and improved to 3-1 in seven starts since returning from left elbow inflammation last month.

Following a double by Ben Rice off Martinez in the fourth, Bellinger lifted the next pitch into the right field seats for a 2-0 lead.

After a single by Mesa started the sixth, Richie Palacios lifted a fly ball to Bellinger. Bellinger made the catch and a strong one-hop throw to first baseman Luis García Jr. to easily complete the double play and get his eighth outfield assist this year.

Martinez allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and lost for the first time since July 9.

David Bednar retired Yandy Díaz for his 35th save in 39 chances and finish New York’s 15th shutout in 2 hours, 2 minutes — the Yankees’ fastest game this season.

Tampa Bay RHP Drew Rasmussen (15-5, 2.72 ERA) opposes New York LHP Max Fried (5-4, 2.63) in the second game.

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New York Yankees' Cody Bellinger (35) is congratulated by Ben Rice in front of Tampa Bay Rays catcher Liam Hicks, right, after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during the first baseball game of a doubleheader Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nick Martinez throws in the fourth inning during the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Tampa Bay Rays' Victor Mesa Jr. is tagged out and doubled up by New York Yankees first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. after Tampa Bay Rays' Richie Palacios flied out in the sixth inning during the first baseball game of a doubleheader Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger watches his two-run home run in the fourth inning during the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon throws in the first inning during the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

HOUSTON (AP) — The FBI is investigating a “suspected homicide” aboard a cruise ship that returned to port after departing from Texas, and a suspect is in custody, the agency said Monday.

The FBI did not say whether any charges had been filed. The name of the suspect was being withheld pending notification of the victim's family, the agency said on the social platform X.

The MSC Seascape, which took off from Galveston, is a towering white vessel that has 2,270 cabins, more than 1,600 crew and can host nearly 5,900 guests, according to the company's website.

“On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston,” MSC Cruises said in a statement. It added that it was cooperating with authorities and providing support to those impacted.

The company said the vessel has resumed its voyage and left Galveston as of Monday afternoon.

MSC Seascape currently runs from Galveston to the Caribbean for five- and seven-night stays, according to the company’s website. The ship switched from Miami to Galveston last November, according to a statement.

Homicide investigations on cruise ships are uncommon. Earlier this year, a teenager was charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship out of Florida.

The MSC Seascape cruise ship is visible above the newly opened cruise terminal near 16th Street and Harborside Drive in Galveston, Texas, Friday, Nov., 7, 2025. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via AP)