New York, NY — Max Fried continued his dominant streak on the mound as the New York Yankees claimed an emphatic 11-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday. Fried notched his fifth consecutive win, allowing just one run while striking out several batters in six solid innings of work.
The Yankees showcased their offensive prowess, particularly in a decisive third inning where they scored six runs. Highlighting the frame was Austin Wells, who delivered a clutch three-run double off Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, who struggled significantly during the outing. Gausman, who was visibly frustrated, endured a tough inning that featured five walks and a total of 53 pitches, leading to his early exit after just 2 2/3 innings.
In addition to Wells’ standout performance, Anthony Volpe contributed with a home run, further burning the Blue Jays’ chances. Oswaldo Cabrera also made his mark, driving in two runs, as the Yankees’ lineup generated an impressive six doubles throughout the game.
Gausman’s tumultuous outing saw him become the first pitcher since last July to throw the most pitches in an inning, surpassing a previous record set by Pittsburgh’s Cam Vieaux. The inning also saw Gausman face a series of lengthy at-bats, marking a challenging day for the right-hander.
Tensions flared as Gausman was ejected by the home plate umpire while walking to the dugout. The Blue Jays’ manager, John Schneider, joined him in the locker room later in the game after being tossed for arguing a strike call against Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Yankees’ slugger Aaron Judge, playing just a day after his 33rd birthday, had a solid performance, going 2 for 4 at the plate, raising his already impressive batting average to .412, the highest in Major League Baseball.
Also of note, Ben Rice made his first appearance behind the plate this season, having initially been designated as a designated hitter. This strategic move demonstrated the Yankees’ ongoing adaptability amid player rotations and injuries.
Looking ahead, the Yankees were set to send Clarke Schmidt to the mound for the second game of the doubleheader, while the Blue Jays countered with Chris Bassitt, who had been performing at a high level with an impressive 1.88 ERA entering the matchup.
The Yankees’ victory not only showcased their offensive depth but also highlighted Fried’s growing reliability as a starting pitcher, suggesting that New York may have found a key component in their rotation as the season progresses.