TAMPA — As accidents decimated the Yankees’ rotation this spring, Cam Schlittler seized a chance to impress.
With a handful of sturdy begins at George M. Steinbrenner Discipline and different spring coaching websites, the tall right-hander positioned himself as a high prospect and depth choice regardless of having by no means pitched above Double-A. That depth in the end turned crucial, because the harm bug stored feasting on the Yankees’ starters, creating a gap for Schlittler’s main league debut on July 9 after only a few begins at Triple-A.
On Wednesday, Schlittler returned to Steinbrenner Discipline for the seventh begin of his younger profession. This time, the rookie did greater than impress, as he flirted with perfection in a 6-4, 10-inning Yankees win over the Rays that additionally featured a go-ahead residence run from Giancarlo Stanton within the last body.
Armed with high-90s warmth and a hammering curveball, in addition to dazzling effectivity, Schlittler retired the primary 18 batters he confronted. It wasn’t till Chandler Simpson led the seventh inning off with a single to middle {that a} Ray reached base.
Whereas the 24-year-old Schlittler fell in need of baseball immortality, he did log the longest begin of his profession, totaling 6.2 innings. Schlittler additionally struck out eight batters and issued two walks whereas holding Tampa Bay to Simpson’s knock over 95 pitches.
Regardless of cruising for a lot of the evening, Schlittler did work himself right into a jam earlier than departing within the seventh, because the speedy Simpson went on to steal two bases whereas Brandon Lowe and Josh Lowe labored walks. After loading the bases with two outs, Schlittler exited to an ovation, but in addition uncertainty together with his gem positioned within the fingers of Luke Weaver.
Weaver fanned Hunter Feduccia with three straight fastballs to finish the seventh. Nevertheless, the reliever did give up a solo homer to Bob Seymour within the eighth inning earlier than nearer David Bednar gave up a two-run, game-tying double to Feduccia within the ninth.
Thankfully for the Yankees, Stanton remained on hearth on the plate, drilling a two-run homer off Pete Fairbanks within the tenth inning. The slugger now has 15 residence runs in his final 34 video games.
With Stanton placing the Yankees again in entrance, Austin Wells instantly proceeded together with his second residence run of the evening, as he additionally went deep within the fifth. Some commotion and confusion adopted shortly thereafter, as José Caballero was ejected for arguing a caught stealing name earlier than Devin Williams, twice faraway from the nearer’s function this season, restricted the Rays to at least one run within the backside of the tenth.
For Wells, Wednesday marked a welcomed offensive efficiency for a struggling hitter who has misplaced enjoying time in latest weeks. He additionally shined behind the plate, because the catcher wing-manned Schlittler’s flirtation with perfection.
Trent Grisham additionally loved a multi-homer recreation, hitting a leadoff longball lower than 24 hours after the Yankees clubbed 9 homers. He added one other within the eighth inning.
With the Yankees avoiding what would have been a disappointing loss, they managed to comb their five-game street journey, which additionally included three video games in St. Louis.
The second-place Bombers are actually 69-57 as they put together for a highly-anticipated four-game sequence with the third-place Crimson Sox within the Bronx. With the Yankees proudly owning a 1.5-game lead over Boston for the American League’s high Wild Card spot, they are going to attempt to create some separation within the standings over the subsequent few days.
Scheduled to start out for the Yankees are Luis Gil, Max Fried, Will Warren and Carlos Rodón. Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, Garrett Crochet and Dustin Might are lined up for the Sox.
Initially Printed: August 20, 2025 at 9:53 PM EDT
