The New York Yankees are one win away from advancing to the American League Division Series after Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice led them to a 9-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium.
Schlittler threw a career-high 117 pitches and allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 10 over 6.1 scoreless innings.
The 25-year-old right-hander appeared to be finished after six innings and 107 pitches, but manager Aaron Boone sent him back out for the seventh. Schlittler recorded the first out before allowing a single to Wilyer Abreu. Paul Blackburn replaced him and ended the inning with a double play.
Rice opened the scoring with a solo home run in the fifth inning, then delivered the biggest blow of the night in the eighth. His grand slam pushed New York’s lead to 9-0 and capped a four-hit performance.
Rice finished 4-for-5 with two home runs, six runs batted in and two runs scored.
George Lombard Jr. also made his postseason debut with three hits in four at-bats and scored twice as the Yankees finished with 12 hits and five walks. Austin Wells opened the scoring with an RBI single in the second before adding a sacrifice fly in the eighth before the Rice grand slam.
New York’s pitching staff limited Boston to three hits while preserving a shutout.
The Yankees can close out the best-of-three series Wednesday at 8 p.m. Max Fried will start for New York against Sonny Gray. If Boston wins, Gerrit Cole is scheduled to start Thursday’s deciding Game 3.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.