TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler carved out a place in franchise lore Wednesday night, retiring the first 18 batters he faced against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The 24-year-old right-hander became the first Yankees rookie since Fritz Peterson in 1966 to begin a game with six flawless innings.
The bid for perfection came to an end in the seventh when Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson opened the frame with a clean single to center. Though denied history, Schlittler still turned in the longest and most commanding start of his career in New York’s 6-4 win in 10 innings.
Historic performance caps breakout rookie season
AP Photo/Chris O’Meara
Standing 6-foot-6, Schlittler overpowered Tampa Bay hitters with high-velocity fastballs and a sharp curveball. He punched out eight batters, all swinging, while using just 66 pitches to record his six perfect frames.
“What a performance,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Dominant. Probably the best breaking ball he’s had all year to go with the fastball. He was just filling up the strike zone.”
Schlittler avoided a three-ball count through six innings, with only three balls leaving the infield during that stretch. His efficiency kept the pitch total low enough to make a rare achievement feel within reach.
Rare company in Yankees lore
Fritz Peterson’s July 4, 1966 bid against the White Sox lasted 6 1/3 innings, meaning Schlittler’s six-inning perfection was the deepest attempt by a Yankees rookie in nearly six decades. Peterson went on to log a 3.31 ERA as a rookie and finished his New York career with a 3.10 mark.
Schlittler’s start extended what has been an impressive debut campaign since his July 9 call-up from Triple-A. Making just his seventh appearance, he now owns a 3.22 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 36.1 innings.
Simpson’s seventh-inning single was Tampa Bay’s first baserunner of the night. He fell behind 0-2, fouled off a fastball, worked the count to 1-2, then grounded a curveball into center.
“You notice it, right? I wasn’t really thinking about it too much,” Schlittler said. “And even when he got the hit, I didn’t really care that much. I was trying to focus on the next guy and whatever. It’s a good feeling, but the biggest thing is that we won and I put the team in a position to win and got past that five-inning mark that I was having trouble getting to.”
Schlittler responded by striking out the next batter but then issued two walks, loading the bases with two outs. Boone summoned Luke Weaver, who struck out Hunter Feduccia to keep the shutout intact.
Schlittler left after 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing one hit with eight strikeouts and two walks across 95 pitches — career highs in innings, strikeouts, and pitches thrown. Prior to this outing, he had not surpassed the five-inning mark in any of his first six starts.
“The goal is to go out there six, seven, try to get to eight innings,” Schlittler said. “The biggest thing is I put the team in a position to win and got past that five-inning mark that I was having trouble getting to in my last six starts.”
The strong effort helped secure New York’s fifth straight victory. The Yankees held a 2-0 edge when he exited before Tampa Bay tied the game in the ninth. In extras, Giancarlo Stanton and Austin Wells went deep in succession to deliver the win.
Yankees teammates praise historic effort
Aaron Judge lauded Schlittler’s poise against Tampa Bay’s lineup.
“To hold a perfecto that long against a scrappy team that puts the ball in play, that’s tough to do,” Judge said.
The victory brought New York within four games of division-leading Toronto while keeping its 1 1/2-game cushion over Boston for the American League’s top wild card.
Building on spring training promise
Wednesday’s showcase affirmed what the Yankees first saw during spring training, when Schlittler turned heads as injuries gutted the rotation. Despite never pitching above Double-A at that point, he impressed coaches at Steinbrenner Field and other Grapefruit League venues.
His rapid climb through the system led to a July 9 major league debut after only a handful of Triple-A outings. The near-perfect game on Wednesday represented the peak of a season that has surpassed expectations.
This time, he nearly delivered one of the most unforgettable games in franchise history while keeping the Yankees’ playoff push rolling. Schlittler’s 95 pitches were just two shy of his career high, and Boone noted the rookie looked winded in the seventh after cruising through six innings.
“You maybe think he’s got a chance as dominant as he was and being so economical,” Boone said. “His pitch count was in great shape there.”
For Schlittler, who grew up a Red Sox fan, the outing represented another step in a remarkable journey. He won’t face Boston in the upcoming four-game set, but his dominance on Wednesday gave New York momentum entering the series.
