Cam Schlittler returns to dominant form as Yankees gain ground on Rays: ‘It’s personal’
· Yahoo Sports
After the worst start of his young career, Cam Schlittler returned to his dominant form just in time.
In the first game of a four-game series with the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, Schlittler once again looked like the Yankees’ ace, striking out eight, walking none and scattering four hits across eight innings as the Yankees won the opener, 5-1, thanks to two home runs and four RBI from ex-Ray Jose Caballero and Ben Rice’s 25th homer of the season.
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The win moved the Yankees, who had lost 9 of their previous 10, within three games of first place.
“I feel like we dug ourselves a hole a little bit, so it’s good to go out there and get the first one,” Schlittler told reporters. “We got a chance to shake things up.”
Said Caballero: “He’s great, man. He’s electric, it’s good to see him deliver the way he’s doing it. And he’s always special every time he’s pitching.”
If the Yankees were to sweep the series, they would be tied for first place.
Schlittler (9-5, 2.01 ERA, 131 Ks) was coming off a brutal start last Tuesday in Detroit in which he allowed four homers, seven hits and six earned runs in a 9-3 loss at Yankee Stadium.
So, what changed?
“Really, again, just stick to my strengths and try and do what I do best,” he said, “and that’s attack hitters with three fastballs.”
Asked if he came into the Rays game with “more of a chip on his shoulder,” the 25-year-old first-time All-Star said: “Yeah, I mean, last week is tough, right? I had one bad outing so it’s personal to go out there and just have a dominance and put this team in the right position.”
Caballero also put the Yankees in the right position after getting the start at shortstop. He clubbed two homers and drove in four runs against his former team.
“Yeah, he’s electric, he gets under the pitcher’s skin,” Schlittler said of Caballero. “He’s really good at that. I’ve had conversations with him about that and I know I would be frustrated if I was out there. And just for him to go out there and hit two bombs, and give us the lead early, and do it again early, it’s a great feeling for me to feel comfortable, so he had a terrific game today.”
The Yankees will send Will Warren to the mound on Tuesday and Gerrit Cole on Wednesday to try to keep the momentum going.
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