Rays secure playoff spot for 4th straight season

The Tampa Bay Rays are back in the postseason.

Tampa Bay will be playing in the playoffs for a fourth consecutive campaign after defeating the Houston Astros on Friday.

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen allowed just two earned runs on five hits over seven innings in a 7-3 victory over the Astros.

"I had a really bad outing against these guys the other day, so to be able to come back and attack the strike zone like I know how to and get quick outs and allow the defense to play was absolutely incredible," Rasmussen said postgame, according to The Associated Press. "There's a lot of excitement going into the postseason now, and we're officially in."

Yandy Diaz returned from injury to pace the offense with three hits and two RBIs.

The Rays remain two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for home-field advantage in the wild-card series. Both clubs have five contests remaining during the regular season.