CHICAGO — The Yankees scored a point — two of them, in fact. 

And while they came on just two swings, solo blasts from Amed Rosario and Spencer Jones, they were enough to stand up for a win because of Will Warren. 

Turning in his best start in months, Warren delivered 6 ²/₃ shutout innings against one of the majors’ most dangerous lineups to become the latest Yankees starter to lift up his offense in a 2-0 win over the Cubs on a drizzly Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. 

Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (29) pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Warren, who could be a trade candidate ahead of Monday’s deadline if the Yankees choose to deal from an area of depth to address an area of need, scattered just four hits and no walks while striking out seven. The right-hander had struggled for most of the last two months, but turned in a timely outing for the Yankees — on the field and potentially off it, too, depending on trade talks. 

“Just going back to who I am and throwing nasty stuff up there, honestly — and just trying to throw it for strikes,” said Warren, who felt he had gotten away from throwing his secondary stuff lately while trying to “hammer fastballs home.” 

“I think I had fun today for the first time in a long time, which is good,” he added. “At the end of the day, it’s a kid’s game and it’s hard showing up every day trying to remember that. Today I went out there and whatever happens, happens, I’m going to have fun. Came out on top.” 

Yankees third baseman Amed Rosario (14) celebrates with right fielder Jasson Domínguez (24) after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After the Yankees (62-48) had lost 2-1 against the White Sox in 11 innings Thursday afternoon, a ticked-off Aaron Boone stated the obvious: “We got to score a freaking point.” And for much of Friday, that remained a struggle, but the Yankees did enough against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga to ensure they did not waste another sterling starting pitching performance like they had in their last two games. 

“That right there,” Boone said, “is what [Warren] is capable of when he’s on his game.” 

Facing the Cubs (68-42), who entered the day second in the majors in runs scored per game and third in OPS, Warren was efficient, allowing him to go deeper than he had in any start since April 18. Boone wanted to limit his pitch count since his last two outings lasted 68 pitches (a three-inning clunker against the Phillies last Sunday) and 16 pitches (a relief appearance coming out of the All-Star break). But Warren ended up turning in the longest scoreless outing of his career, taking some strain off a bullpen that has been overworked of late while getting back to having fun on the mound. 

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) throws the ball over Chicago Cubs second baseman Pedro Ramírez (75) to complete the double play in the first inning. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I think at the beginning of the year, that was how I approached every day,” said Warren, who pitched to a 3.22 ERA through his first 12 starts but 6.57 over his last eight before Friday. “Obviously it starts going down the wrong side and you start falling off, struggling a little bit, and hanging on to every pitch, ‘What’s going to happen next?’ So just a nice little reset. Look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go out there and compete. We’re here for a reason, we’re in a good spot and just go out there and play my game.” 

In relief of Warren, Paul Blackburn, who has been mostly terrific but blew a 4-1 lead Wednesday night, bounced back by stranding a pair of inherited runners in the seventh and then striking out the side in the eighth. 

David Bednar, who had been unavailable the last two days because of a heavy workload recently, closed it out in the ninth for his 23rd save of the year. 

Imanaga retired the first 11 Yankees before Rosario clobbered a 450-foot shot in the fourth inning for the 1-0 lead. An inning later, Jones crushed his fourth home run of the season — and first against a lefty — with a 418-foot poke to right field, as he continued to put together quality at-bats in Cody Bellinger’s absence. 

That was enough thanks to Warren, who became the seventh Yankees starter in the past nine games to allow one or no runs — all while tuning out the noise surrounding him and the trade deadline Monday. 

“At the end of the day, control what you can control,” he said. “Whatever’s going to happen is going to happen, so that’s never really been on my mind. I feel like ever since I’ve been with the Yankees, that’s kind of been a thing, so I’m kind of used to it now.”