PHILADELPHIA – Cam Schlittler savored everything about his All-Star Game experience. The Yankees pitcher enjoyed a front-row seat for the Home Run Derby, waved to crowds from the Red Carpet Parade and – at one point – even wandered into the field-level seating bowl to answer a craving for Dippin’ Dots.
Just about the only thing Schlittler didn’t do during that visit was show off his pitching form, and that was by choice. Schlittler saved that for Friday evening, striking out 12 over 7 1/3 scoreless innings as the Yankees opened a three-game weekend series against the Phillies with a 1-0 victory at Citizens Bank Park.
Permitting just three hits and one hit batter without a walk, Schlittler bounced back from an outing against the Dodgers in which he allowed three runs over 4 1/3 innings, with Los Angeles making him work, fouling off 27 of the 98 pitches he threw.
The American League ERA leader at 2.07, Schlittler had a breezier time with the Phils, retiring the first 10 batters he faced before Kyle Schwarber doubled.
J.T. Realmuto stroked singles in the fifth and eighth innings for the other hits off Schlittler, who registered a double-digit strikeout total for the third time in his career (second in the regular season). His career high is 13, set on June 19 against the Reds. He also fanned 12 in last year’s Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox.
Schlittler was viewed as a front-runner to start the July 14 All-Star Game for the American League, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he was planning to select his ace, Dylan Cease. Schlittler bowed out of consideration, saying that he didn’t want to risk “feeling a little bit dragged” if he were to pitch on two days’ rest.
“Just trying to put myself and the team first,” Schlittler said. “We’ve got bigger aspirations for this season."