Yankees offense scores late, salvage Max Fried's fantastic return in Game 2 win over Pirates

· Yahoo Sports

Max Fried made a triumphant return, pitching five scoreless and the Yankees lineup woke up late to defeat the Pirates, 2-0, in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Here are the takeaways...

-Fried faced the minimum in the first thanks to Cody Bellinger gunning down Nick Gonzales trying to stretch a single into a double to lead off the game. The southpaw was locked in from there, allowing just a walk across the next two innings. Fried got through five innings against a formidable Pirates lineup, allowing just one hit and one walk.

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The plan was for Fried to throw 60 pitches, and he wound up tossing 57 (37 strikes) while striking out seven batters.

-Unfortunately, the Yankees lineup was anemic once again for most of the game. 

Against young right-hander Bubba Chandler, the Yankees mustered just two hits and got just two base runners in scoring position through the first four innings. 

Chandler entered Game 2 with a 4.77 ERA. He also entered the game with a 13 percent walk rate, but the Yankees could only work one walk against him. The youngster pitched 6.1 scoreless innings on 84 pitches, allowing two hits, one walk and striking out five batters. His ERA lowered to 4.47. 

-The Yankees lineup would finally break through against the Pirates bullpen in the seventh. After Cody Bellinger walked, Jasson Dominguez -- hitting from the right side -- lined a double to score the game's first run. Anthony Volpe followed up with a single, scoring Dominguez from second.  Both hits came with two outs. 

-The Pirates had their best chance in the seventh after Volpe's miscue allowed the leadoff hitter to reach against Angel Chivilli. Paul Blackburn came in after and worked around an error from catcher Ali Sanchez -- not helped by Volpe not blocking -- and a walk to keep the game scoreless by striking out Ryan O'Hearn and Marcell Ozuna.

Blackburn would pitch a scoreless eighth before Will Warren, Friday's probable starter, came out for the ninth. After allowing a leadoff hit, Warren retired the next two batters but walked Esmerlyn Valdez.Aaron Boone called on Tim Hill to face the lefty O'Hearn. O'Hearn grounded to Jazz Chisholm Jr., who double-clutched before slinging it to first. It was called an out on the field and after a review, the call on the field stood, ending the game.

Game MVP: Paul Blackburn

The veteran right-hander not only kept the game scoreless, but also delivered two innings for a bullpen that needed the length. 

Highlights

What's next

After an off day, the Yankees head to Philadelphia to start a three-game series with the Phillies on Friday. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m.

Will Warren (7-4, 4.03 ERA) will take the mound and go up against Jesus Luzardo (9-4, 3.43 ERA). 

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