Yankees Shut Out Guardians 4-0 Behind Fried’s Gem and Bellinger’s Bat/Glove

by Felix Pantaleón

In a crisp, commanding performance at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees blanked the Cleveland Guardians 4-0 on Thursday night, propelled by Max Fried’s dominant pitching and Cody Bellinger’s offensive spark. The victory, New York’s 16th in their last 22 games, sets the stage for a highly anticipated weekend series against their archrivals, the Boston Red Sox. With Fried rebounding from his first loss of the season and Bellinger delivering a two-run homer and an RBI single, the Yankees showcased their resilience and firepower, while Aaron Judge continued to make his case as one of baseball’s premier hitters.

Fried’s Redemption: A One-Hit Masterclass

Max Fried, the Yankees’ left-handed ace, was nothing short of spectacular. After a rare off-day in his previous start at Dodger Stadium, where he surrendered six runs and eight hits, Fried returned to form with a performance that reminded everyone why he’s one of the game’s elite pitchers. Facing a potent Cleveland lineup, Fried (8-1) allowed just one hit—a 94-foot infield single by José Ramírez in the first inning—over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven, walked two, and retired 15 of the final 16 batters he faced, showcasing his ability to lock in after early trouble.

The lone hiccup came early. Ramírez, extending his on-base streak to 31 games, reached on a soft infield hit, and David Fry drew a walk, stealing second to put two runners in scoring position. But Fried, unfazed, induced a pop-out from Carlos Santana to escape the jam. From there, he was nearly untouchable, allowing just one baserunner (a walk to Bo Naylor in the fifth) for the remainder of his outing. Fried’s 103-pitch effort, with 62 strikes, marked his fourth scoreless start of the season and his second one-hitter, the other coming against Tampa Bay on May 2.

Fried’s performance underscored his importance to a Yankees rotation that has been a cornerstone of their success. New York is now 11-2 in Fried’s starts, a testament to his consistency and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. His 1.78 ERA and 0.94 WHIP reflect a pitcher in peak form, and his ability to rebound from a rough outing speaks to his mental toughness.

Bellinger’s Big Night Powers the Offense

While Fried stifled the Guardians, Cody Bellinger provided the offensive punch. The former MVP, who has found a home in right field for the Yankees, went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBIs, driving the team’s scoring. His biggest moment came in the fourth inning, when he followed Aaron Judge’s double with a towering homer off Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi. Bellinger turned on an inside fastball, sending it into the right-center field bullpen to give New York a 2-0 lead.

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Bellinger wasn’t done. In the seventh, with Trent Grisham on base and Judge intentionally walked for the second time, Bellinger laced a single to right off reliever Kolby Allard, scoring Grisham to make it 3-0. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a single to center, driving in Judge to cap the scoring at 4-0. Bellinger’s three RBIs pushed his season total to 35, and his .257/.331/.456 slash line reflects a player regaining his All-Star form after a few injury-plagued seasons.

Chisholm also had a strong night, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, his seventh of the season. His speed and ability to make things happen on the bases added another dimension to the Yankees’ attack.

Judge’s Presence Looms Large

Aaron Judge, as always, was a focal point. Though he had just one official at-bat, finishing 1-for-1 with a double, he reached base three times, drawing two intentional walks and getting hit by a pitch. The Guardians’ decision to walk Judge intentionally twice—the second time this season he’s been given that treatment—speaks to the respect he commands. Judge’s .392 batting average, .493 on-base percentage, and .758 slugging percentage lead the majors, and his 16th double of the night set the table for Bellinger’s homer.

Judge’s impact, even in limited at-bats, underscores his MVP-caliber season. Judge’s presence in the lineup forces opposing pitchers to navigate carefully, often leading to mistakes that players like Bellinger capitalize on.

Bullpen Locks It Down

The Yankees’ bullpen, tasked with preserving Fried’s gem, faced a tense moment in the seventh. Mark Leiter Jr. allowed singles to Ramírez and Santana, and a throwing error by shortstop Anthony Volpe on a fielder’s choice put the bases loaded with one out. But Tim Hill, a lefty reliever known for his wicked slider, entered and shut the door. Hill struck out Bo Naylor and induced a flyout from Jhonkensy Noel to escape the jam, preserving the shutout. Hill’s 1.2 scoreless innings earned him his fifth hold, and Jonathan Loaisiga closed out the game with a perfect ninth, striking out Ramírez to seal the victory.

The bullpen’s ability to navigate trouble was critical, as Cleveland’s offense, led by Ramírez’s .330 average and 17 stolen bases, is no slouch. The Guardians were blanked for just the fourth time this season, a testament to New York’s pitching depth.

Guardians’ Struggles at the Plate

Cleveland’s offense, typically a strength, was silenced by Fried and company. Ramírez’s infield single and stolen base in the first were the highlights, but the Guardians managed just three hits total. Santana’s single in the seventh and Ramírez’s second hit were their only other offensive contributions. Steven Kwan, batting .306, went 0-for-4, and the bottom of the order—Gabriel Arias, Bo Naylor, Jhonkensy Noel, and Wyatt Wilson—combined for 0-for-11 with five strikeouts.

Slade Cecconi (1-2) took the loss for Cleveland, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings. His 73-pitch outing included three strikeouts and two walks, but Bellinger’s homer proved to be the difference. Relievers Jake Junis, Kolby Allard, and Nic Enright couldn’t keep the Yankees’ bats quiet, with Allard surrendering two runs in the seventh.

The Guardians’ inability to capitalize with runners in scoring position (0-for-4) and their two errors—a throwing miscue by catcher Bo Naylor and a fielding error—didn’t help their cause.

Yankees’ Resilience Shines

The win improved the Yankees to 15-4 after a loss since April 9, a mark of their ability to bounce back. Their 11-2 record in Fried’s starts highlights their reliance on their ace, but the contributions from Bellinger, Chisholm, and the bullpen show a team firing on all cylinders. Anthony Volpe, despite his error, chipped in with a single, and Oswald Peraza went 2-for-4, adding depth to the lineup.

The Yankees’ defense, aside from Volpe’s miscue and an error by Ben Rice, was solid, with a double play in the fifth (Chisholm to Peraza to Rice) helping Fried escape a minor threat. The team’s ability to blend elite pitching, timely hitting, and opportunistic baserunning has them rolling as they head into a crucial series against Boston.

Looking Ahead: Rivals on the Horizon

The Yankees now turn their attention to the Red Sox, with rookie right-hander Will Warren (3-3, 5.19 ERA) set to face Boston’s Walker Buehler (4-3, 4.44 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. The rivalry always brings intensity, and New York’s momentum—16 wins in 22 games—makes them a formidable force. Meanwhile, the Guardians head home to face Houston, with Logan Allen (3-3, 4.22 ERA) taking on Colton Gordon (0-1, 5.95 ERA) in their series opener.