BALTIMORE — In a display of pitching mastery, Max Fried struck out a career-high-tying 13 batters over seven scoreless innings, leading the New York Yankees to a decisive 7-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The win, Fried’s major league-leading 18th of the season, propelled the surging Yankees to within three games of first-place Toronto in the AL East, with only nine games remaining in the regular season.
Fried, the left-handed ace acquired in free-agency, was in top form, mixing a potent fastball, a sharp changeup, and a tantalizingly slow curveball to keep the Orioles’ lineup off balance. Allowing just three singles and one walk, Fried (18-5) showcased his ability to dominate, tying his career-high strikeout mark set last year against Boston. His performance marked his fifth consecutive win, pushing his career-best victory total to 18, surpassing his previous high of 17 set in 2019 with Atlanta.
“I was able to locate on both sides of the plate today and had a really good feel for my changeup,” Fried said post-game. “Trusting that the movement was going to be consistent and having more arm speed with it made a big difference.”
Fried’s command was evident throughout, particularly in a critical moment in the sixth inning when the Orioles had runners at the corners with two outs in a 3-0 game. Fried struck out Tyler O’Neill to end the threat, preserving the shutout. His 13 strikeouts came on just 87 pitches, with 59 strikes, underscoring his efficiency and control.
“I feel really good physically, like I did at the beginning of the year,” Fried added. “I’m just focusing on changing speeds, getting deep into games, and trying to win. The offense came out early and gave us some breathing room, which allowed me to attack.”
Yankees’ Offense Provides Early Support
The Yankees’ offense wasted no time, jumping on Orioles starter Cade Povich (3-8) in the first inning. Amed Rosario delivered a two-out, two-run double to left, scoring Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger to give New York a 2-0 lead. The early cushion set the tone, allowing Fried to pitch with confidence.
The score remained 3-0 after a fifth-inning RBI single by Austin Wells until the Yankees broke the game open in the seventh. Goldschmidt singled in a run, Aaron Judge added a sacrifice fly to increase his RBI total to 104, and Giancarlo Stanton capped the inning with a two-run double, pushing the lead to 7-0. The outburst chased Baltimore reliever Chayce McDermott, who struggled, allowing four runs in just one-third of an inning.
“The offense coming out early and scoring runs was huge,” Fried noted. “It’s a team game, and they put me in a great position to go out and just focus on winning.”
Fried credited his teammates for their role in his success, emphasizing the team-oriented nature of his 18 wins. “Wins are a team stat,” he said. “I can’t give my teammates enough credit for putting me in a position to get there. The defense made some really nice plays behind me, giving me the confidence to throw the ball over the plate.”
The Yankees’ defense was flawless, turning two double plays to stifle Baltimore’s limited scoring chances. Paul Blackburn followed Fried with two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out two to close out the shutout.
New York’s recent hot streak—17 wins in their last 24 games since August 23—has vaulted them from third place in the AL East to the top of the AL wild card race. With the postseason looming, Fried and the Yankees are hitting their stride at the perfect time.
“We’re playing some pretty good baseball right now,” Fried said. “This is when you want to hit your stride. Going into the last week or so, we’re excited to finish strong and head into the playoffs with momentum.”
Overcoming Challenges
Fried’s road to 18 wins wasn’t without its bumps. He acknowledged a rough patch during the summer but viewed it as a learning opportunity. “Anytime you go through a rough patch, if you learn from it and make adjustments, there’s a bright side,” he said. “This league’s going to adjust to you, and you’ve got to adjust back. I’ve been sticking to my strengths, mixing speeds, and trusting the defense.”
Fried’s ability to adapt has been key to his stellar 2025 season. His 11-3 record and 3.28 ERA in 17 road starts highlight his consistency away from home, where he boasts a career 50-23 record. Since 2020, Fried’s 72-30 overall record places him among the elite pitchers in baseball.
Orioles Struggle Against Fried’s Brilliance
The last-place Orioles (72-81) couldn’t solve Fried, managing just three hits—singles by Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson, and Coby Mayo. Baltimore’s 15 strikeouts underscored Fried’s dominance, as he retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced. The Orioles’ only real threat came in the sixth, but Fried’s strikeout of O’Neill ended any hope of a comeback.
Cade Povich took the loss for Baltimore, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings. The Orioles’ bullpen, particularly McDermott, faltered in the seventh, allowing New York to pull away.
Looking Ahead
The Yankees (86-67) will look to continue their push for the AL East crown on Friday night when rookie right-hander Will Warren (8-7, 4.44 ERA) takes the mound against Baltimore’s left-hander Trevor Rogers (8-2, 1.43 ERA). With the postseason in sight, New York’s combination of elite pitching, timely hitting, and strong defense makes them a formidable contender.
For Fried, the focus remains on the bigger picture. “At this time of year, it’s about making sure we have a ‘W’ in the win-loss column,” he said. “If we’re doing that, I’m doing my job.”
Thursday’s performance was a testament to Fried’s skill, resilience, and ability to lead a team on the cusp of playoff glory. As the Yankees charge toward October, Fried’s brilliance on the mound could be the key to unlocking their postseason potential.
Felix Pantaleon is The Founder of NYYNEWS.com The First & Oldest Independent New York Yankees Content Creator Platform, Since 2005.Follow on Social Media
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