Cam Schlittler dominates Red Sox again as Yankees edge Boston, 1-0

Even when RHP Cam Schlittler does not have his best stuff, he owns Boston. Schlittler (12-6, 2.09 ERA) allowed a season-high-tying four walks, issuing three or more free passes for the third straight start, but kept the Red Sox (73-61) scoreless with two hits in 5.2 IP. Throwing 63 strikes on 102 pitches, Schlittler fanned eight, becoming the fourth-youngest Yankee to 200 strikeouts in a season. He has a 0.56 ERA across five games against Boston in the regular season and playoffs, allowing two earned runs over 32.2 IP.

His dominance was necessary on an evening in which the Yankees (76-58) once again struggled offensively after Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Houston Astros . Leadoff-batting 1B Paul Goldschmidt 's one-out solo shot in the third inning on a 1-0 fastball at 97 mph against Patrick Sandoval was a home run to left field that the Yankees desperately needed. Goldschmidt's 17th homer of the season broke a scoreless tie and gave Schlittler a lead to work with, putting New York ahead and turning into the decisive offense by either team. Goldschmidt's first long ball since July 24 was the difference in a 1-for-4 night that brought his slash line to .247/.311/.455 with 45 RBI through 91 games this season.

Despite New York's disappointing offense, the defense made a pair of game-saving plays. With one out in the fourth inning, 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. 's heads up play -- turning CF Trent Grisham 's throw to the infield into a toss to first, doubling up Ceddane Rafaela after Wilyer Abreu 's lineout -- got Schlittler out of a potential jam. In the seventh inning with one out and the bases loaded, LF Cody Bellinger 's perfect throw to the plate sniped Rafaela at home and doubled up the Red Sox on Willson Contreras ' flyout, keeping the Yankees' 1-0 lead into the eighth.