TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — Drew Rasmussen pitched seven dominant innings, allowing only one hit while striking out nine, and the Tampa Bay Rays edged the Cleveland Guardians 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field.

The victory gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 series win and improved its record to 62-43. Cleveland dropped to 54-53 and lost its third consecutive game.

The game’s only run came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Chandler Simpson led off with a single to left field. Ben Williamson grounded out to second base, moving Simpson to third. Cedric Mullins then laid down a bunt single toward first base that scored Simpson, giving the Rays a 1-0 lead. Mullins was credited with the run batted in.

Cleveland’s best scoring chance came in the first inning. Steven Kwan doubled on a sharp line drive to right field, but José Ramírez flied out, Chase DeLauter struck out and Brayan Rocchio struck out to end the threat. The Guardians did not advance another runner past second base the rest of the game.

Rasmussen, who improved to 9-5, was nearly untouchable. He faced the minimum through three innings, allowing only the first-inning double. He walked one batter and did not allow a hit after the first. His performance came six days after he allowed seven hits and two earned runs over five innings in a win at Toronto.

Cleveland starter Parker Messick took the loss, falling to 8-6. He pitched 7 2/3 innings, surrendering six hits and one earned run while striking out six. He threw 38 balls and 19 strikes among his pitches, with 19 balls put into play. Messick exited after giving up a one-out single to Ryan Vilade in the eighth inning, but Colin Holderman got Junior Caminero to ground out to end the inning.

Bryan Baker earned his 28th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one and did not allow a hit. Garrett Cleavinger also pitched a scoreless inning for Tampa Bay, striking out one.

The Rays’ offense managed six hits. Simpson went 2 for 3 with a run scored. Nick Fortes doubled in the third inning but was left stranded. Mullins finished 1 for 3 with the RBI single. Cedric Mullins also struck out once.

Cleveland’s lone hit came from Kwan, who finished 1 for 4. The Guardians struck out 12 times as a team and drew two walks. Kwan was the only Cleveland batter to reach base other than a hit-by-pitch on Petey Halpin in the third and a walk to Chase DeLauter in the fourth and ninth.

Tampa Bay threatened again in the seventh when Simpson singled and Ben Williamson singled on a line drive that was initially called a catch but overturned upon challenge. With runners at first and second and no outs, Mullins struck out, and Nick Fortes struck out to end the inning.

The game lasted 1 hour, 58 minutes, the fastest of the season for either team. Attendance was 20,562.

The series sweep kept Tampa Bay firmly in the American League playoff picture. Cleveland, meanwhile, fell to 3-7 over its last 10 games after losing two of three to Tampa Bay. The Guardians lost 11-3 on Friday and 3-0 on Saturday before Sunday’s 1-0 defeat.

Tampa Bay’s bullpen has been a strength all season. Baker’s save was his 28th, and Cleavinger has posted a 2.70 ERA. Rasmussen’s start marked his third consecutive quality outing.

Cleveland next travels to Cincinnati for a three-game series starting Monday. Tampa Bay returns home Tuesday to begin a three-game set against the Texas Rangers.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Cleveland 5, Tampa Bay 4. Interstat’s ELO system gave Tampa Bay a 56.60 percent probability to win. Tampa Bay was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 1.5. The total score of one run went over the over/under line of seven.