Cam Schlittler can now proudly add Queens to the list of places where he has left his mark.
In a bout that saw the New York Mets return to their earlier struggles, the Yankees’ ace made his first Subway Series appearance on Friday night, determined to shift the momentum of his team’s recent slump. The Mets, who had been riding high on a three-game winning streak, found themselves stifled by his commanding performance, ultimately falling 5-2 at Citi Field.
Schlittler’s exceptional effort was pivotal in the Yankees securing only their second victory in seven games. He allowed just one run, a solo homer by Juan Soto, over 6 â…” innings. Throughout his outing, he conceded only two hits, walked two batters, and struck out nine, effectively silencing the Mets’ offense.
Throwing a season-high 106 pitches, Schlittler maintained his impressive ERA at 1.35, further cementing his reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the mound.
He threw a season-high 106 pitches, and his ERA remained at 1.35.
Overall, the Mets managed five hits on a night the Yankees received 2 2/3 solid innings in relief from Fernando Cruz and David Bednar.
It was a comedown for the Mets after blasting a season-high five homers a day earlier to complete a three-game sweep of Detroit.
The Mets scored 22 runs in the three games and appeared on track offensively after a deep slumber to complete their last road trip.
Brett Baty singled with two outs in the second against Schlittler for the Mets’ only hit until Soto homered leading off the seventh.
Schlittler had a fourth straight start of allowing one run or less. Â
In his first underwhelming start of the season, Clay Holmes lasted only 4 â…“ innings and surrendered four earned runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
It was the first time this season Holmes failed to last at least five innings, and he snapped a streak of eight straight starts to begin the season in which he allowed two earned runs or fewer.
Holmes got two outs in the third before allowing consecutive singles to Ben Rice and Aaron Judge.
Holmes got ahead 1-2 in the count to Cody Bellinger, who swung at a curveball below the strike zone and golfed a two-run double to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a fourth straight hit against Holmes, an RBI double.
Spencer Jones smashed a 111 mph rocket off Holmes’ right foot for a single to begin the fourth.
Holmes walked Anthony Volpe on three straight pitches before striking out Austin Wells and Trent Grisham.
Rice’s ensuing infield single loaded the bases before Judge was retired on a fly to right.
Chisholm walked in the fifth, prompting manager Carlos Mendoza to replace Holmes with Austin Warren.
After a fielder’s choice moved Chisholm to second, Jones stroked an RBI single to widen the Mets’ deficit to 4-0.
Anthony Volpe followed with a walk before Warren escaped by striking out Wells.
Soto ended the shutout bid by clearing the fence in left-center, leading off the bottom of the seventh for his second homer in as many games.
Soto fell behind 0-2 in the count before smashing a 97 mph four-seam fastball from Schlittler for career homer No. 250.
Schlittler walked Baty with two outs in the seventh and was removed.
Cruz allowed a bunt single to Semien and unloaded a wild pitch, advancing runners to second and third, before retiring A.J. Ewing.
Rice homered leading off the ninth against Craig Kimbrel to extend the Yankees’ lead to 5-1. The blast was Rice’s 14th this season, moving him within two of Judge for the team lead.
Bednar worked a scoreless ninth for the Yankees after Cruz’s perfect eighth.
Bednar walked Soto in the ninth before getting Mark Vientos to ground into a double play.
MJ Melendez’s single extended the inning, and he stole second before Baty singled in the final run. Â