SEATTLE -- Max Fried had plenty to block out before his Opening Night start, a made-for-streaming production with yellow cabs and San Francisco cable cars parked beyond the dugouts, plus fireworks that left a haze over the ballpark.
This time, there were no distractions -- just pitching. And that suited him fine.
Fried extended his scoreless innings streak to 13 1/3 with seven sterling frames, striking out six while allowing three hits and a walk, earning his second win in a 5-0 victory over the Mariners on Tuesday evening at T-Mobile Park.
"There weren’t times where I was just fighting to throw strikes; I felt like I was actually able to locate today, which made things a lot easier,” Fried said.
Overall, the Yankees have permitted just three runs this season -- tied with the 1943 Cardinals for the fewest by a team through its first five games.
It was the Yankees’ third shutout in their first five games, matching a feat previously achieved by the 2002 Bombers. They’re the fifth team to do it since 2000, also joining the 2013 Dodgers, '15 Athletics and '16 Dodgers.
“Everyone has contributed,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Max has gone into the seventh or completed the seventh in back-to-back ones. Everyone else from the starting rotation has gone out and held them down, and then the bullpen has been excellent.”
Added Giancarlo Stanton: “They’ve made it easier on us, for sure. It’s a much easier at-bat when the other team has zero runs.”
Stanton backed the left-hander with his fifth consecutive multihit performance, delivering a bloop run-scoring single in the first inning and a well-struck RBI double during a three-run sixth.
Both hits came off Seattle starter Logan Gilbert, who was charged with five runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Stanton became the fourth Yankee with multiple hits in each of the team’s first five games, joining Bob Meusel (1928), Moose Skowron (1956) and Alfonso Soriano (2003).
"He’s been one of the best hitters in the game for a long time,” Fried said. “To see him healthy and just out there, ready to do damage -- it’s not a fun at-bat when you’re up there facing him. When he’s locked in like this, I’m really glad that I’m on this side.”
For Stanton, it represented a continuation of what he showed in the spring: the results of a formula to manage the discomfort he continues to feel in both arms after last year’s lengthy bout with epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
"I’m just staying back, being on time for heaters and keeping my barrel through the zone as much as possible,” Stanton said.
The first-inning runs allowed Fried to find a groove, tossing his kitchen-sink repertoire at Seattle.
With J.C. Escarra behind the plate for his season debut, Fried mixed and matched with seven pitches, including three different fastballs.
"It’s incredible,” Escarra said. “I can’t go wrong with what I call when he has all these pitches going. It makes it easy for me, and easy for him.”
Boone said it was an example of watching “an ace in control of the game.” Fried won his eighth consecutive regular-season start dating to Aug. 27 of last season, a career best.
"It’s his dominance, continuing it from last year, making it tough on the guys,” Stanton said. “He’s making them off-balance and working in and out. He’s been unreal.”
Brent Headrick and Tim Hill each worked an inning to complete the four-hitter.
“We definitely like our pitching,” Boone said. “I don’t know if you draw up this many shutouts and all that early on. I don’t care how good your pitching is, it doesn’t usually work that seamlessly. It’s a great start for those guys. They’re pitching with a lot of confidence, and they’re executing.”
Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. also drove in runs for the Yanks, who secured a winning road trip as they look ahead to Wednesday’s series finale -- and Friday’s home opener in the Bronx, when they’ll host the Marlins at Yankee Stadium.
"We have a lot of really talented guys that are really motivated,” Fried said. “We’ve been waiting for this opportunity, to have the season start and go compete. We want to go win, and we’re leaving everything out there.”