Max Fried proves worth as Yankees' 2025 ace, takes no-hit bid deep into series-clinching win at Rays

New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried flirted with a no-hitter and flashed his ace ability in Sunday's 4-0, series-clinching win at the Tampa Bay Rays.

admin admin
Apr 20, 2025 - 14:45
0 0
Max Fried proves worth as Yankees' 2025 ace, takes no-hit bid deep into series-clinching win at Rays

Max Fried lived up to his eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees and delivered his best start yet for AL East-leading New York (14-8) in Sunday's 4-0, series-clinching win at the Tampa Bay Rays.

Takeaways

  1. Without Gerrit Cole, Fried has been invaluable as the ace of the Yankees' 2025 starting rotation. He took a no-hit bid deep into his remarkable outing, giving the bullpen a breather after Saturday's extra-inning loss and stifling the Rays (9-13). Fried (4-0, 1.42 ERA) allowed two hits while striking out two and walking two in 7.2 IP. The 64-strike, 102-pitch outing saw Fried embrace the role of the ace with New York coming off a collapse in Saturday's 10-8 defeat.
  2. Trent Grisham stepped up in the leadoff spot for Ben Rice (left elbow), whom the Yankees kept out of the lineup Sunday after a hit-by-pitch during Saturday's game. Grisham turned on a 2-0 fastball down the middle at 94 mph and sent Ryan Pepiot's offering over the right-field wall for an important solo shot off to start the game. Three strikeouts followed for Grisham, who has six home runs through 20 games, but he ultimately gave the Yankees a pivotal run in a big spot as the pitchers' duel between Fried and Pepiot ensued.
  3. After Grisham drew first blood and while Fried battled,Cody Bellinger's two RBI created separation in the third and sixth innings. His second home run of the early season, a solo shot to right-center field off Pepiot's 95 mph fastball on a 1-2 count, was the last blow in what was an otherwise strong start by the opposing pitcher. Without Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees need Bellinger (12 RBI through 19 games) to be a run-driving supporter behind Aaron Judge and that was the case Sunday.
  4. Austin Wells' fourth home run through 19 games was the last strike in the Yankees' shutout, sending the first pitch of a one-out, ninth-inning at-bat into opposite field for a solo shot off Garrett Cleavinger. Wells, whose 1-for-3 afternoon included a fourth-inning walk, is up to 10 RBI on the early season.

Who's the MVP?

Fried, who dominated the Rays in a game where New York got just enough offense to end the victorious series with a bounce-back win.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees' three-game series at the Cleveland Guardians starts with Monday's 6:10 p.m. opener. RHP Clarke Schmidt is set to make his second start this season after he scattered three runs on four hits in 5.2 IP of last Wednesday's 4-3 New York win over the Kansas City Royals. The Guardians are projected to start RHP Gavin Williams (1-1, 4.58 ERA).

Read More