MLBSep 30
Rice powers Yankees past Red Sox as Schlittler dominates wild-card opener
Ben Rice homered twice and drove in six runs, while Cam Schlittler struck out 10 in New York’s 9-0 postseason win over Boston.
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Rice fills the offensive void
The Yankees opened their AL Wild Card Series rematch against the Red Sox with a commanding 9-0 win Tuesday night, leaning on Ben Rice’s big bat with Aaron Judge sidelined by a calf injury. Rice collected four hits, including two home runs and a double, and finished with six RBIs. His late grand slam helped turn a game that had been tight early into a comfortable victory for New York. Austin Wells supplied two RBIs from the No. 9 spot in the order. Rookie George Lombard Jr., 21, added three hits in his postseason debut, giving the Yankees production beyond their biggest offensive performer.
Schlittler keeps Boston quiet
Cam Schlittler held the Red Sox to two hits across 6 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out 10 and issuing one walk. Coming off a regular season in which he led the league with a 1.95 ERA, he delivered another strong playoff outing against Boston. Schlittler threw 117 pitches, exceeding his previous career high by 10. It was the largest postseason workload by a Yankees starter since CC Sabathia threw 121 pitches against Baltimore in the 2012 AL Division Series. Boston starter Payton Tolle kept the matchup close during his 4 2/3 innings. He allowed one run on five hits and struck out four, leaving with the Red Sox trailing 1-0 before New York pulled away. For Rice and Schlittler, the victory also carried a hometown connection: Both grew up surrounded by Red Sox fans in Massachusetts and attended college in New England before the Yankees drafted them.
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