Schlittler (1 H, 8 K's) dazzles as Yanks record back-to-back shutouts

SAN FRANCISCO -- About a month ago, as Cam Schlittler moved past a minor setback that delayed his buildup, it was suggested to manager Aaron Boone that he might use the team’s early off-days to gradually build the young right-hander’s stamina.

Seated on the dugout bench at the Yankees’ spring complex, Boone flatly rejected that idea, replying: “I’ll take 70 pitches of Cam Schlittler.”

Friday showed why the Yankees were so eager to give him the ball. Navigating a limited pitch count, Schlittler was dominant, striking out eight over 5 1/3 innings in a 3-0 victory over the Giants at Oracle Park.

“I was trying to be as efficient as possible, seeing how far I could get,” Schlittler said. “[The pitch count] was out of my control. It’s partially my fault because I had that little setback, but I’ll just keep building from this week to next week.”

Schlittler permitted just one hit -- Heliot Ramos’ second-inning double – and did not walk a batter, throwing 49 of 68 pitches for strikes. Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, Camilo Doval and David Bednar followed with 3 2/3 frames of hitless relief to seal the shutout.

“To get into the sixth inning really set us up,” Boone said. “And then the ‘pen was outstanding. Each guy, I thought, did a really nice job. It was a really good win.”

Schlittler’s spring was interrupted when back and lat discomfort cropped up in February, but he has put that behind him.

Paired with Max Fried’s scoreless effort on Wednesday, Schlittler is part of the Yankees’ first duo to open a season with scoreless starts since Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte in 2003, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

It also marks the first time in franchise history the Yankees have opened a season with back-to-back shutouts.

“It’s been very impressive,” Cody Bellinger said. “Obviously Max doing what he does, and then [being] in center field for Cam’s start today -- he just pitched really well. He located all three fastballs, threw a bunch of curveballs and just pounded the zone. He’s been really fun to watch.”

A full season from Schlittler is a key reason why the Yankees believe in their “run it back” plan, looking for more after he became a breakout star following a second-half callup last year.

Schlittler went 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 14 regular-season starts, then pitched what was called “the game of his life” to send the Red Sox home in the deciding Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series.

That label may not hold for long. Based on how Schlittler stifled the Giants on Friday, touching 100.1 mph while challenging with his cutter, four-seam and sinker, he may already be building toward something greater.

“He’s just a guy that wants to be better every time,” Bellinger said. “He’s learning, and he’s just a great guy to have in this clubhouse.”

As Schlittler seemingly picked up where he left off, the Yankees also came away encouraged by Doval, who struck out the side in a clean eighth inning. The former Giants closer got six swings and misses in a 12-pitch frame, flashing tweaks made to his sinker and slider.

“That’s what it looks like when he’s rolling,” Boone said.

Doval pitched to a 4.82 ERA in 22 appearances following his Trade Deadline acquisition last season, and he said he is feeling more settled in the clubhouse.

“It’s like joining a new family,” Doval said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “You start adapting to get a good rhythm of how things work out here. I’m feeling more comfortable; trying to do my job, and really focus on the work.”