Cam Schlittler Leads New York Yankees In 2nd Game

Cam Schlittler threw hard (100 miles per hour), and the New York Yankees gave him plenty of early run support. It was a successful debut for him, who in the first inning threw the six fastest pitches the Yankees have thrown this year. The Yankees won 9-4. The Yankees have now won games in a row. There was once fear and loathing, but no more. In other big Yankees news, the Yankees designated DJ LeMahieu for assignment. Do you think Schlittler will stick in the Yankees’ rotation?

Lineups As Yanks Support Cam

The Mariners had JP Crawford as the shortstop, batting leadoff. Julio Rodriguez, an All-Star, was the center fielder, batting second. Cal Raleigh was the catcher, batting third. Randy Arozarena was the left fielder, batting fourth. Jorge Polanco was the designated hitter and batted fifth. Luke Raley was the first baseman and batted sixth. Dominic Canzone played right field and batted seventh. Ben Williamson was the third baseman and batted eighth. Miles Mastrobuoni pinch hit for him in the ninth inning. Cole Young was the second baseman and batted ninth.

For the Yankees, Jasson Dominguez batted first and was the left fielder. Aaron Judge was the right fielder and batted second. Cody Bellinger was the center fielder who batted third. Giancarlo Stanton was the designated hitter and batted fourth. Jazz Chisholm Jr. was the second baseman, batting fifth. Paul Goldschmidt was the first baseman and batted sixth. Austin Wells was the second baseman and batted seventh. Anthony Volpe was the shortstop, batting eighth. Oswald Peraza was the third baseman and batted ninth. 

Yankees Designate DJ LeMahieu for Assignment

The Yankees designated for assignment two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu. That means LeMahieu has most likely played his last game for the Yankees. Technically, what designation means for a veteran like LeMahieu is that the Yankees have seven days to trade LeMahieu or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers.

LeMahieu turns 37 on Sunday and is owed about $22 million — including $15 million for 2026. He signed a six-year, $90 million contract with the Yankees after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Baseball contracts are guaranteed, so LeMahieu will get his money.

News and Notes 

In a corresponding move to the designation of LeMahieu, the Yankees recalled Jorbit Vivas. Since Peraza cannot hit, expect Vivas to get a lot of time at third base. In announcing the news about LeMahieu, General Manager Brian Cashman said the Yankees will be looking to add a third baseman, a starting pitcher, and a relief pitcher.

Judge’s next home run will be his 350th. He will become the fastest player in Major League history to get to the milestone. Mark McGwire holds the current mark, and Judge has 195 games with which to play with. This is the eighth consecutive game in which the Yankees have scored five or more runs. Look out, the Yankees’ offense is coming to life.

Game Reaction

Schlittler threw hard, and if he pitches effectively, he could stick in the rotation. Dominguez has a nickname. That nickname is the Martian. Domiguez has been compared to Mike Trout and Mickey Mantle. According to Yankees Magazine, he has landed.

Bellinger now has a 14-game hitting streak, and his batting average is now over .280. His remarkable defensive play on Monday probably saved the Yankees’ season. It will be viewed as a turning point. Schlittler pitched 5.1 innings, giving up only three runs (the last one on a home run Relief Pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga surrendered). Schlittler struck out seven.

Scoring Summary

In the first inning, the Yankees scored three runs. Bellinger singled, and Dominguez scored. Then Stanton singled and Judge scored. Finally, Chisholm Jr. grounded out and Bellinger scored. Schlittler was staked to a 3-0 lead in his major league debut. In the second inning, the Mariners got on the board as Crawford hit a solo home run. That cut the Yankees’ lead to 3-1.

In the third inning, Chisholm Jr. hit a solo home run. The Yankees led 4-1. That was the Yankees’ league-leading 144th home run. In the fourth inning, Polanco hit a solo home run. That cut the Yankees’ lead to 4-2. In the fifth inning, Chisholm Jr. hit a two-run home run, his second of the game, and Bellinger scored. The Yankees led 6-2. He was doing his best to support Schlittler.

In the sixth inning, on the first pitch thrown by Loaisiga, Arozarena hit a two-run home run. Rodriguez scored, and the Yankees’ lead was 6-4. Rodriguez was Schlittler responsibility. In the sixth inning, Dominguez singled and Wells scored. It was 7-4 Yankees. Then Judge hit a two-run double. Dominguez and Chisholm Jr. scored, and the Yankees led 9-4. In the seventh inning, Young hit a two-run home run for the Mariners. Williamson scored, and the Yankees’ lead was cut to 9-6.

Final Thoughts

Schlittler did well in his debut, and he earned another start for the Yankees. He was still throwing 98 miles per hour in the sixth inning and was not overwhelmed by the situation. His last pitch was 98 miles per hour, and he struck out Cal Raleigh. The Yankees kept pouring it on after Loaisiga gave up the home runs. Judge now has 77 runs batted in. The Blue Jays lost today, so the Yankees gained a game.