CONGRATULATIONS – Fried Fans 13 as Yankees Blank Orioles 7–0
BALTIMORE — The New York Yankees walked into Camden Yards on Thursday night and made a loud September statement. Behind a dazzling performance from left-hander Max Fried, who struck out 13 batters over seven scoreless innings, the Yankees dismantled the Baltimore Orioles 7–0 in a game that felt like a postseason preview.
From the first pitch, Fried was untouchable. Mixing a mid-90s fastball with a biting curve and a perfectly spotted changeup, he held the Orioles to just three hits while never allowing a runner past second base. His 13 strikeouts matched a career high and drew a standing ovation from a sizable contingent of Yankees fans who made the trip down I-95.
“Everything was working,” Fried said afterward. “My catcher and I had a great game plan and I was able to execute. The defense behind me was incredible too.”
New York’s offense gave him plenty of support. Aaron Judge opened the scoring with an RBI double in the third inning, and Juan Soto followed with a towering two-run homer to right-center. By the fifth, the Yankees had built a 5–0 lead, chasing Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish after just 4 1/3 innings.
Manager Aaron Boone praised the all-around effort. “That was as complete a game as we’ve played all year,” Boone said. “Fried set the tone and our hitters stayed aggressive. That’s the kind of baseball we need as we head toward October.”
The Yankees tacked on two more runs in the eighth with clutch hits from Gleyber Torres and Anthony Volpe, turning the contest into a rout. Baltimore’s offense, usually among the league’s most potent, managed only five baserunners all night and struck out 17 times overall.
“We just couldn’t figure him out,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde admitted. “Fried had command of every pitch. Sometimes you have to tip your cap.”
The victory pushes New York closer to solidifying a postseason berth and sends a clear message to the rest of the American League. The Yankees have now won eight of their last ten and are heating up at the perfect time.
Judge, who reached base three times, emphasized the importance of momentum. “This is when you want to be playing your best baseball,” he said. “Games like tonight show what we’re capable of when pitching, defense, and hitting all click.”
While Fried’s dominance stole the spotlight, the Yankees’ bullpen quietly preserved the shutout. Jonathan Loáisiga and Clay Holmes each tossed a scoreless inning to finish the game, combining with Fried for a three-hit masterpiece.
With only a handful of regular-season games remaining, the Yankees appear to be finding their stride. If Fried continues pitching at this level and the lineup keeps producing, New York could be a formidable opponent when the playoffs begin.
“This was a statement win,” Boone said. “But we know the real work is ahead.”
For one night in Baltimore, though, the Yankees delivered a reminder of why they’re perennial October contenders: dominant pitching, timely hitting, and the confidence to silence even the loudest ballpark.
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