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Cam Schlittler became the first player in MLB history to pitch eight scoreless innings and strike out 12 without allowing a walk in the postseason on Thursday night, but even he needed some help from his defense.
The rookie’s historic gem catapulted the New York Yankees into the American League Division Series, knocking out their archrival Boston Red Sox in the process.
Nobody knew what to expect out of the right-hander, given Thursday was just his 16th MLB start after being called up July 9. But when he came out onto the field for the eighth inning, Yankees fans knew they were watching something special.
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Ryan McMahon of the New York Yankees leaps over the dugout wall to catch a pop fly during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 2, 2025, in the Bronx. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
As destiny would have it, a trade-deadline acquisition, who entered the game as a defensive replacement, helped Schlittler complete his stat line.
Leadoff hitter Jarren Duran came up to the plate with one out in the eighth and swung at the first pitch of the at-bat, which floated toward his own dugout on the third-base side.
Ryan McMahon tracked it the whole way and caught the ball at the railing of the dugout, but his momentum carried him all the way over, and he flipped into the Sox’s dugout.
Ryan McMahon of the New York Yankees returns from the Boston Red Sox dugout after catching a pop fly during the eighth inning in game three of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 2, 2025, in the Bronx. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
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McMahon came away unscathed, and Schlittler retired Trevor Story to complete the inning and his outing.
The Red Sox had their own rookie starting in Connelly Early, but the Yankees got to him, and the Sox defense didn’t do him many favors as the Yankees put up four runs in the fourth inning.
Amed Rosario, in the game for the lefty-righty matchup against Early, came through with an RBI single to get the Yankees on the board first. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a single to load the bases, and Anthony Volpe singled to make it 2-0. Then Austin Wells broke the game open when his sharply hit ball to first base resulted in a Nathaniel Lowe error that scored two runs.
New York Yankees players pose for a team photo after defeating the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
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With the victory in the winner-take-all matchup, the Yankees will now head to Toronto to face the Blue Jays, who held on to the AL East title at the end of the regular season.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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