Clarke Schmidt pitches into the seventh inning as Yankees blank the Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pitching into Friday night’s seventh inning, even Clarke Schmidt called it “uncharted territory, to finally get there.’’
Arriving at Tropicana Field, Schmidt’s 2024 pitching lines were mainly of the five innings-and-change variety, with the Yankees’ right-hander conceding “it’s a big talking point.’’
Still, “I know what I’m capable of,’’ and Friday’s 2-0 win against the Rays was “a big step in the right direction.’’
Armed with a sharp slider-cutter combo, Schmidt went 6.2 innings – matching his longest career outing – and limited Tampa Bay (19-20) to five hits and two walks.
Jose Trevino, Clarke Schmidt, Anthony Rizzo headline a Yankees shutout
The Yankees (26-14) have won five of their last six games and they’re 7-1 in eight starts by Schmidt (4-1), who was ably guided by catcher Jose Trevino’s terrific night.
Trevino (2-for-4) caught two would-be base stealers and helped steer closer Clay Holmes through a rocky ninth, ending with a bases-loaded strikeout of Jonny DeLuca.
Schmidt’s ERA dropped to 2.95 after his longest start of the year, and his development as a starter “has been fun to see,’’ said Anthony Rizzo, who drove in both Yankees runs.
After an opposite-field, two-out RBI single off “electric’’ right-hander Taj Bradley, making his first start of 2024 (pectoral strain), Rizzo homered off Shawn Armstrong’s first pitch to start the ninth.
Minus the command of his signature sinker, Holmes had to heavily rely on his two versions of the slider in a 34-pitch ninth inning – recording his 12th save and 17th appearance without yielding an earned run.
Clarke Schmidt's terrific recent run against the Rays
Schmidt has a 0.96 ERA against the Rays over his last three starts against them (18.2 innings, two runs), including a 6.2-inning start last Aug. 26 at the Trop.
On Friday, “even the hits felt like they were executed pitches,’’ said Schmidt, who was only at 74 pitches to start the seventh inning.
“(I) really wasn’t too worried when there was traffic on the bases,’’ aided by Trevino nailing Jose Caballero trying to steal third base in the third, and a successful pickoff of Randy Arozarena at first base in the sixth.
But with two out and a runner at first in the seventh, Boone went to Nick Burdi, just off the injured list (hip inflammation).
Boone preferred Burdi against Richie Palacios, and “(Schmidt) dealt with stress all night, too,’’ said Boone, who watched Trevino nail Isaac Paredes attempt to steal second base to end the seventh.
Schmidt had exited reluctantly, but felt better about where he’s trending and determined to reach the point where “I’ll leave him with no other choice’’ than to remain in the game.
Aaron Boone’s take on two former Yankees
Boone wasn’t surprised to hear that ex-Yankee outfielder Clint Frazier had signed with the independent Charleston (WV) Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League.
“You never close the book on a guy with a lot of talent,’’ Boone said of Frazier, 29, who last played in the majors with the 2023 Chicago White Sox.
Frazier’s five-year Yankees career was marked by injuries and unfulfilled expectations, leading to his release after the 2021 season.
Meanwhile, light-hitting ex-Yankees catcher Ben Rortvedt is batting .333 (21-for-63) with the Rays, who acquired him in a three-team trade March 27 with the Miami Marlins that sent infielder Jon Berti to the Yanks.
“He was tough for us to lose, and we didn’t necessarily want to lose him to the Rays,’’ Boone said of the defensively strong Rortvedt, who became ace Gerrit Cole’s personal catcher late last season.
Also plagued by an injury history, the lefty-hitting Rortvedt batted a combined .147 with the 2021 Minnesota Twins and 2023 Yankees prior to landing with the Rays.
“He can really catch and throw, he’s gifted back there physically,’’ Boone said. “He’s worked really hard at his hitting, too.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Matching his longest career MLB outing, Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt
