- Fried throws 7 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts
- Ben Rice breaks tie with 7th-inning two-run homer
- Tigers rally with 3 runs in 9th before falling short
- Yankees snap 3-game skid, avoid series sweep
In a clash of former high school teammates turned MLB rivals, Max Fried delivered a career-defining performance for the New York Yankees on Wednesday. The left-hander dominated Detroit's lineup with precision pitching, recording 11 strikeouts while limiting the Tigers to five hits over seven innings. This marked Fried's second-highest strikeout total since his 13-K game against Boston in June 2023.
The game's turning point came in the seventh inning when rookie Ben Rice launched a 90-mph sinker from Tyler Holton into right-center field. Rice's two-run blast – only the eighth home run Holton allowed in his last 67 appearances – broke a scoreless deadlock and energized the Yankees' struggling offense.
New York added critical insurance runs in the ninth inning following defensive miscues by Detroit. Aaron Judge capitalized on a fielding error by second baseman Colt Keith and two dropped foul pops by catcher Dillon Dingler, driving in two runs with a bases-loaded single. These runs proved crucial when Detroit mounted a late comeback attempt against closer Devin Williams.
The Tigers' ninth-inning rally saw Zach McKinstry deliver a two-run single before Mark Leiter Jr. stranded the tying run at third base. Detroit's effort fell short despite playing without starting catcher Jake Rogers, who landed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain earlier in the day.
This matchup highlighted the growing trend of MLB teams prioritizing pitcher development programs. Both Fried and Flaherty are products of Harvard-Westlake High School's elite baseball program, which has produced six MLB pitchers since 2012 including All-Stars Lucas Giolito and Walker Buehler.
The Yankees' victory demonstrated the importance of defensive depth, as Detroit's catching substitution directly impacted the game's outcome. With Rogers sidelined, backup catcher Dillon Dingler's struggles with foul pops created scoring opportunities that New York expertly exploited.
As both teams prepare for weekend series, this game offers valuable insights into bullpen management strategies. The Tigers' decision to pull Flaherty after 99 pitches preserved their rotation depth, while the Yankees' calculated risk to extend Fried's pitch count (112) paid immediate dividends.