Cam Schlittler grew up dreaming of the Red Sox. On Thursday night, he ended their season.
The Yankees’ 24-year-old rookie delivered a dazzling postseason debut, striking out 12 over eight shutout innings to lift New York past Boston, 4-0, in Game 3 of their American League Wild Card series at Yankee Stadium. The win sent the Yankees to the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays and marked their first playoff series victory over their rivals since Aaron Boone’s walk-off in the 2003 ALCS.
Schlittler, who started the season in Double-A, leaned on a triple-digit fastball to stifle a Boston lineup that never advanced a runner beyond second. He allowed just five singles, walked none, and exited to a roaring ovation after 107 pitches. David Bednar closed the ninth to seal the series.
The decisive rally came in the fourth, when the Yankees turned a pair of singles and some aggressive baserunning into four runs. Cody Bellinger doubled to spark the inning, Amed Rosario drove in the first run, and Anthony Volpe added a run-scoring single. Austin Wells capped it off with a sharp grounder that deflected off first baseman Nathaniel Lowe’s glove to plate two more.
The Yankees, who dropped 9-of-13 against the Red Sox during the regular season, now turn their attention to the Blue Jays. Game 1 of the ALDS is set for Saturday at 4:08 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].