The New York Yankees strengthened their hold on first place in the American League East with a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. New York improved to 46-28 behind a dominant performance from Cam Schlittler, while Cincinnati fell to 35-39 as the Yankees opened the three-game series with their sixth win in seven games.
Schlittler overcame a hit batter on his first pitch of the game and never looked back. The rookie right-hander struck out a career-high 13 batters across six scoreless innings, allowing little room for the Reds to generate offense.
J.C. Escarra helped erase an early threat by throwing out Blake Dunn attempting to steal second, and Schlittler took control from there with a fastball-heavy approach that Cincinnati never solved.The Yankees provided all the offense they would need in the second inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. atoned for an earlier throwing error by launching a solo home run into the second deck in right field. Later in the frame, Ben Rice crushed a three-run homer to right-center, turning a close game into a 4-0 advantage.New York added an insurance run in the eighth when Anthony Volpe lined an RBI single to left after Chisholm stole his 21st base of the season. Volpe reached base three times on the night, while Chisholm finished with a homer, a stolen base and a run scored.
Jake Bird, Brent Headrick, and David Bednar combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen to complete the shutout.
The Yankees continue their series against Cincinnati on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. Will Warren (7-1, 3.47 ERA) is expected to start for New York against Andrew Abbott (4-4, 3.95 ERA) for the Reds.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
