Max Fried delivered a gritty, ace-level performance on Tuesday night in the Bronx, helping the New York Yankees to a much-needed 7-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays and trimming the Toronto Blue Jays’ lead in the American League East to four games.
Fried worked 6.2 innings and struck out nine, battling through an early defensive miscue and a lack of command. After allowing a two-run triple in the first and a solo home run in the third, the left-hander locked in, retiring 14 straight batters before a late RBI double ended his night. He finished with a season-high 111 pitches, allowing just two earned runs on four hits.
Anthony Volpe redeemed himself after an early throwing error, delivering a go-ahead RBI single in the fourth and blasting a 452-foot solo homer, the longest of his career, in the eighth to provide insurance. Cody Bellinger also came through with a three-run shot in the third to tie the game at three, his 20th of the season, while Paul Goldschmidt added an RBI single to cap a four-run fourth.
Jasson DomÃnguez sparked the offense with two hits and a stolen base, and the bullpen held strong despite some tense moments. Devin Williams earned the save despite a rocky ninth, stranding the tying runs on base with a clutch strikeout to end it.
The Yankees (58-49) and Rays will continue their four-game series on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].