NEW YORK –- Reaching 200 strikeouts should speak volumes about Cam Schlittler’s development into one of the league’s most electric starters. He’s more interested in what is still yet to come, especially with the Yankees charging toward September.
“I think,” Schlittler said, “the division is wide open.”
Facing the Red Sox for the fourth time this season, Schlittler again handled business against the team he once rooted for, pitching scorelessly into the sixth inning as the Yankees opened a crucial series with a 1-0 victory on Friday evening in the Bronx.
The Yankees (76-58) lead Boston (73-61) by three games for the top American League Wild Card spot, but Schlittler and his teammates have their sights set on a greater goal: catching the Rays (80-54) for the AL East crown.
“If we separate ourselves from Boston this weekend, we’ve got a really big [four-game] series against Tampa down the road,” Schlittler said. “So it’s wide open.”
Friday’s game evened the season set between Boston and New York at 5-5, meaning the Yankees must win two of the next three games to clinch home-field advantage in a potential AL Wild Card Series.
If they do, Cody Bellinger’s throw will be remembered as a pivotal moment.
With Paul Goldschmidt’s third-inning home run comprising the game’s only offense, Bellinger came up firing in the seventh, delivering a one-hop strike to catcher Austin Wells that nabbed Ceddanne Rafaela on the back end of an inning-ending double play.
“That,” manager Aaron Boone said, “was one of the defensive plays of the year.”
It was the sixth outfield assist of the season for Bellinger, who was clocked by Statcast to have thrown the ball 99.7 mph -- the Yankees’ third-fastest-tracked outfield assist under Statcast (2015), behind Aaron Hicks (105.5 mph, 2016) and Aaron Judge (100.5 mph, 2018).
“I was able to get some good momentum going home,” Bellinger said. “Rafaela was at third, so it was one of those where I feel like I had to make a good throw. Wellsy with the great tag, he made a great play as well. So I was just glad I was able to make that throw.”
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that with Rafaela running, “It’s got to be a perfect throw. And he made a perfect throw, right on the money.”
The 25-year-old Schlittler struck out eight as he became the fourth-youngest Yankee to record a 200-strikeout season, behind Al Downing (23 in 1964), Luis Severino (23 in 2017) and Bob Turley (24 in 1955).
“It’s just a testament to how good he’s gotten and continued to improve exponentially since we signed him,” Boone said. “Rifling through the Minor Leagues, I just feel like over the last two years, he’s just steadily gotten better and better. He has a really good grip on his arsenal, and he’s obviously pitching like one of the great pitchers in the league.”
Pitching on seven days’ rest, Schlittler’s velocity was amped across the board, averaging 99 mph with his four-seamer. His command was off; Schlittler matched his career high with five walks, receiving help when Rafaela was doubled off first base on a fifth-inning Wilyer Abreu lineout to center field.
Boone hooked Schlittler after a two-out free pass to Caleb Durbin in the sixth. Brent Headrick pitched out of the jam despite a walk and infield hit in relief of Schlittler, who threw 102 pitches (63 for strikes).
“Walks are obviously frustrating,” Schlittler said. “I feel like I just beat myself there a little bit, but being able to limit the damage and trust the defense behind me, they were able to bail me out.”
Paul Blackburn and David Bednar combined for the final eight outs. Including last year’s Wild Card Series Game 3 clincher, Schlittler has gone 3-1 with an 0.56 ERA in five career starts against Boston.
“He pitches with a chip on his shoulder,” Bellinger said. “He goes out and wants to dominate. He wants to be better. He expects a lot out of himself. He’s just done a tremendous job this year.”
In an odd coincidence, Friday marked the second time this season that Goldschmidt has homered to support a 1-0 Schlittler victory. The other came on July 24 against the Phillies, a tidbit that prompted Boone to remark, “We’ve got the kid and the future Hall of Famer bookending things. I love it.”
“Obviously, there’s a lot of ball left to play,” Schlittler said. “The goal is to win a championship.”