An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Cam Schlittler pitched six scoreless innings in the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Rangers on April 28, 2026 in Arlington, Texas, Image 2 shows Jacob deGrom, who allowed just one run in six innings, was the hard-luck loser in the Yankees’ win over the Rangers. , Image 3 shows Aaron Judge is all smiles as he celebrates with Jazz Chisholm after hitting a solo homer in the ninth inning of the Yankees’ win over the Rangers.
ARLINGTON, Texas — A young, hard-throwing right-hander who calls New York home, emerging as one of the game’s best pitchers?
That was once Jacob deGrom. It is now Cam Schlittler.
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And on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field, the two squared off, with Schlittler outdueling deGrom to lead the Yankees past the Rangers for a 3-2 win.
Schlittler tossed six shutout innings, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out eight and lowering his ERA to 1.51 on the way to the Yankees’ 10th win in their past 11 games.
The Yankees (20-10) had their hands full with deGrom but got to him for a run in the top of the first on Cody Bellinger’s RBI double before the former Mets ace completed six strong innings of his own.
“[Schlittler was] going up against a future Hall of Famer like that and going toe-to-toe with him, it was impressive,” said Aaron Judge, whose majestic solo shot in the top of the ninth put the Yankees up 3-0 and proved to be the winning run.
“Two big, tall, lanky power-pitching righties,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Obviously runs were tough to come by.”
Cam Schlittler pitched six scoreless innings in the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Rangers on April 28, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. AP
At least until Schlittler and deGrom left the game.
Austin Wells crushed a left-on-left homer in the seventh inning before Judge went deep in the ninth — his third home run in the past three games and ninth in the past 16 — insurance runs that proved critical as the Rangers (14-16) threatened to spoil Schlittler’s night against the Yankees bullpen.
Brent Headrick stranded a pair of runners in the seventh before Fernando Cruz did the same in the eighth — helped in part by his own highlight-reel play in which he slid to field a bunt and threw from his rear end to third base, where Ryan McMahon scooped it like a first baseman for the forceout, the first of the inning.
Jacob deGrom, who allowed just one run in six innings, was the hard-luck loser in the Yankees’ win over the Rangers. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
“All I knew in my mind was I’m gonna do or die there,” said Cruz, who struck out the next two batters.
David Bednar got into more trouble in the ninth, beginning when McMahon committed a throwing error with one out. Danny Jansen followed by roping a triple into the gap — Trent Grisham banged his knee on the wall trying to make a catch, but Boone said he was “fine” — to pull the Rangers within 3-1.
Aaron Judge is all smiles as he celebrates with Jazz Chisholm after hitting a solo homer in the ninth inning of the Yankees’ win over the Rangers. AP
A hit batter and single later, it was 3-2, but Bednar held on by getting Corey Seager to ground into a double play to end it.
The slick twin killing was a fitting way to close out a game in which the Yankees turned in some strong defense behind Schlittler. Bellinger and Grisham both turned in terrific catches in the bottom of the first — Bellinger a running grab into the left field corner up against the wall and Grisham a diving snag on a sinking liner — to keep a 1-0 lead intact.
“Incredible defense all around out of those two, and then even the double play to end the game,” Judge said.
A smiling Austin Wells celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ win over the Rangers. AP
Schlittler gave up a hard double to the next batter, Seager, but limited the hard contact from that point on, retiring 13 of the next 15 hitters. He then allowed the first two batters in the sixth to reach but buckled down and retired the next three in order to finish his night in style.
In the process, the 25-year-old Schlittler bested the 37-year-old deGrom, who is not quite what he was in his Mets prime but still owns a 2.01 ERA.
“He’s an elite guy,” Schlittler said. “He’s been one of the best pitchers for the last 10 years. Really cool to go up against him.”
Schlittler is still early in his own path to achieving what deGrom has, but his teammates believe he is on the way.
“Superstar,” Cruz said. “What he’s doing is really impressive. Throwing three pitches at one speed, but different directions, it’s something you don’t see too often in baseball. Right now he’s one of the best to step on the field.”