Schlittler outduels deGrom, throws 6 scoreless in epic mound battle
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ARLINGTON -- Cam Schlittler and Jacob deGrom were born 13 years apart in different parts of the country, but the fireballers share common links: both late-blooming college right-handers who enjoyed immediate success in the New York spotlight.
Advertised as a high-octane pitching matchup, Tuesday’s bout between the Yankees and Rangers at Globe Life Field did not disappoint. Schlittler outdueled deGrom with six scoreless innings, finishing just how he started: pumping strikes through the zone with fastballs that crackled up to 99 mph.
Making his seventh start of the season, Schlittler lowered his ERA to 1.51 and earned his fourth victory in the Yankees’ 3-2 win, holding Texas to three hits, walking two and striking out eight. He threw 92 pitches, 64 for strikes.
Cody Bellinger provided Schlittler with an early advantage, doubling home Aaron Judge in the first -- the only run the Yanks would manage off deGrom, who also completed six innings. Austin Wells added a seventh-inning homer off Jalen Beeks, Wells’ third home run of the season. Judge provided some crucial ninth-inning insurance by blasting a solo shot a Statcast-projected 424 feet for his 12th homer of the year.
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In control for most of the evening, Schlittler’s hairiest moment came in the sixth. Brandon Nimmo stroked a leadoff single and Schlittler issued a four-pitch walk to Josh Jung -- the first four-pitch free pass he’s allowed this year.
After a mound visit, Schlittler responded by striking out Corey Seager, getting Joc Pederson to pop out and inducing a Jake Burger flyout.