Giancarlo Stanton hits go-ahead home run in extras after Cam Schlittler's strong start to lift Yankees over Rays, 6-4

Gary Phillips, New York Daily News on Aug 20, 2025

Published in Baseball

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TAMPA, Fla. — As injuries decimated the Yankees’ rotation this spring, Cam Schlittler seized an opportunity to impress.

With a handful of strong starts at George M. Steinbrenner Field and other spring training sites, the tall right-hander positioned himself as a top prospect and depth option despite having never pitched above Double-A. That depth ultimately became necessary, as the injury bug kept feasting on the Yankees’ starters, creating an opening for Schlittler’s major league debut on July 9 after just a few starts at Triple-A.

On Wednesday, Schlittler returned to Steinbrenner Field for the seventh start of his young career. This time, the rookie did more than impress, as he flirted with perfection in a 6-4, 10-inning Yankees win over the Rays that also featured a go-ahead home run from Giancarlo Stanton in the final frame.

Armed with high-90s heat and a hammering curveball, as well as dazzling efficiency, Schlittler retired the first 18 batters he faced. It wasn’t until Chandler Simpson led the seventh inning off with a single to center that a Ray reached base.

While the 24-year-old Schlittler fell short of baseball immortality, he did log the longest start of his career, totaling 6 2/3 innings. Schlittler also struck out eight batters and issued two walks while holding Tampa Bay to Simpson’s knock over 95 pitches.

Despite cruising for most of the night, Schlittler did work himself into a jam before departing in the seventh, as the speedy Simpson went on to steal two bases while Brandon Lowe and Josh Lowe worked walks. After loading the bases with two outs, Schlittler exited to an ovation, but also uncertainty with his gem placed in the hands of Luke Weaver.

Weaver fanned Hunter Feduccia with three straight fastballs to end the seventh. However, the reliever did surrender a solo homer to Bob Seymour in the eighth inning before closer David Bednar gave up a two-run, game-tying double to Feduccia in the ninth.

Fortunately for the Yankees, Stanton remained on fire at the plate, drilling a two-run homer off Pete Fairbanks in the 10th inning. The slugger now has 15 home runs in his last 34 games.

With Stanton putting the Yankees back in front, Austin Wells immediately proceeded with his second home run of the night, as he also went deep in the fifth. Some commotion and confusion followed shortly thereafter, as José Caballero was ejected for arguing a caught stealing call before Devin Williams, twice removed from the closer’s role this season, limited the Rays to one run in the bottom of the 10th.

For Wells, Wednesday marked a welcomed offensive performance for a struggling hitter who has lost playing time in recent weeks. He also shined behind the plate, as the catcher wing-manned Schlittler’s flirtation with perfection.

Trent Grisham also enjoyed a multi-homer game, hitting a leadoff long ball less than 24 hours after the Yankees clubbed nine homers. He added another in the eighth inning.

With the Yankees avoiding what would have been a disappointing loss, they managed to sweep their five-game road trip, which also included three games in St. Louis.

The second-place Bombers are now 69-57 as they prepare for a highly-anticipated four-game series with the third-place Red Sox in the Bronx. With the Yankees owning a 1.5-game lead over Boston for the American League’s top wild-card spot, they will try to create some separation in the standings over the next few days.

Scheduled to start for the Yankees are Luis Gil, Max Fried, Will Warren and Carlos Rodón. Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, Garrett Crochet and Dustin May are lined up for the Sox.