Armed with high-90s heat and a hammering curveball, as well as efficiency, the Yankees’ rookie retired the first 18 batters he faced.

The Rays appeared to be nowhere close to victory for the bulk of Wednesday’s game against the Yankees. Then one swing by rookie catcher Hunter Feduccia brought them to within maybe a few feet of a much-needed win.

Looking to make history, Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler lost his bid for a perfect game in the seventh inning against the Rays.

Schlittler struck out Simpson, the Rays' leadoff man, looking at a 97-mph fastball on the inside corner to start a 1-2-3, 11-pitch bottom half and he made it six-up, six-down with an 11-pitch second, striking out Feduccia swinging at a 99-mph fastball to end the inning. Schlittler was at just 66 pitches through six.

St. Louis Cardinals (63-65, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (61-66, fourth in the AL East) Tampa, Florida; Thursday, 7:35 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Sonny Gray (11-6, 4.30 ERA,

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays complete a two-game series at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Wednesday night.

Currently, the Yankees (68-57) lead the race, leaving no doubt that the Rays will heavily rely on Rasmussen to dominate on Wednesday when he faces New York right-hander Cam Schlittler (1-2, 3.94 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET.

Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton hit back-to-back-to-back home runs, giving the New York Yankees a 3-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.