When the New York Yankees signed Max Fried, they were hoping hed could be a left-handed ace to complement Gerrit Cole.
Yet, Fried’s seven-year contract from the Yankees continues to age splendidly, after the ace spun seven shutout innings in their 5-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.
Fried has now tossed 13 1/3 shutout innings through his first two starts and, of course, and played the role of stopper by outpitching Seattle ace Logan Gilbert and dominating the potent Mariners lineup.
He also helped the Yankees clinch a winning opening road trip in San Francisco and Seattle.
Aaron Boone: Max Fried ‘Was Terrific’ Against the Mariners
Fried dominated the San Francisco Giants on opening night on Netflix, stymieing a much-improved lineup. Yet Fried said he felt better against Seattle in what he called a more “normal” outing.
“There weren’t times when I was fighting just to throw strikes. I felt like I was actually able to locate [pitches] today, which made things a lot easier,” Fried said. “This felt a little bit more like a normal start. It was really nice to get out there, under the lights and have it be a little brisk and a little different environment.”
By doubling up and mowing down the Mariners, who were fourth in the AL in runs scored in 2025, while holding them hitless until the fourth inning and not allowing a runner to reach second base until the seventh inning.
“He was terrific tonight,” Boone said. “He was on point from the start, just in total control. He was tough. That was an ace in control of the game.”
Fried allowed two of his three hits, and three of his five baserunners, to reach in the seventh inning, when the Yankees were already ahead by five runs.
But after giving up an infield single to Julio Rodriguez, Fried induced a double play to Josh Naylor then caused Victor Robles to line out to Aaron Judge when runners on first and second to end the frame, and his outing.
“I was able to throw a bunch of different pitches for strikes,” Fried said. “That’s a good lineup over there, so you know you’ve got to just keep changing speeds and putting the ball in good locations.”
The Yankees Gave Max Fried an Early Lead Again
The Yankees spotted Fried five runs in the second inning against the Giants, and the Yankees offense again handed the left-hander an early lead thanks to a first-inning two-out rally.
Gilbert appeared poised to settle in early, since he got Trent Grisham to fly out to right field then struck out Judge. But after Cody Bellinger singled, Ben Rice doubled him home and Giancarlo scored Rice on the first of his two hits.
“Obviously, [Gilbert] is really tough,” Boone said. “I thought we had some good at-bats against him, really up and down.”
Going to the mound with a 2-0 lead settled Fried in from the start and allowed him to throw strikes. Fried only walked one for the second straight outing.
“You’ve got to go out and really execute against a team like that,” Fried said. “That’s a really good club up there.”
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