Yankees' Reactions: Schlittler shined to shut down the Reds
Cam Schlittler struck out 13 reds in the series opener in the Bronx
NEW YORK — Instant Reaction to the Yankees (46-28) win over the Cincinatti Reds (35-39) in the opener of the three-game series in the Bronx.
Cam Schlittler was dominant. Over six innings, Schlittler did not walk a batter, striking out 13 batters and giving up no runs. The Reds’ offense has struggled with fastballs over 95 MPH, and those struggles showed tonight against Schlittler.
It was obvious coming into this outing, but Schlittler is the frontrunner to both start the All-Star Game for the AL and win the AL Cy Young. He has been beyond dominant in his sophomore season.
The Yankees scored four runs in the second inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. led the inning off with a solo home run. After two walks, Ben Rice powered a three-run home run deep into Monument Park. It gave Schlittler a cushion to work with to be more in the zone with the Reds hitters.
Jake Bird worked his first 1-2-3 inning since May 20th, which was impressive, giving the Yankees a shutdown seventh inning after pulling Schlittler from the game.
Brent Headrick also worked a scoreless inning around a walk. Headrick has been one of the Yankees’ best relievers so far this season.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. stole his 21st base of the season in the eighth inning. That is good for the fourth-most stolen bases in baseball, and he’s on pace to have 40 steals on the season.
Anthony Volpe added some insurance in the eighth inning with an RBI single off Reds reliever Zach Maxwell. Volpe had two hits and a walk in this game as he continues to have a rather productive homestand.
Though it was not a save situation, David Bednar came into the game and slammed the door with a 1-2-3 inning.
Tomorrow, the Yankees and the Reds will square off for game two in the three-game series. For the Yankees, it will be RHP Will Warren (7-1, 3.47) as the starter, who gets among the most run support of any pitcher in baseball. For the Reds, it will be LHP Andrew Abbott (4-4, 3.95). First pitch will be at 1:35pm on YES and the Gotham Sports App.