Schlittler's 12-K gem leads Yankees past Red Sox to ALDS

The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-0 in Game 3 of the American League wild-card series Thursday to advance to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS.

Rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler dazzled with 12 strikeouts over eight shutout innings in his playoff debut. He allowed five hits and didn't walk a batter on a career-high 107 pitches.

Schlittler acknowledged he took beating the Red Sox personally after hearing chirps from Boston fans.

"There was a line they crossed a little bit," Schlittler said postgame, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "I'm a competitor. I'm gonna go out there and make sure I shut them down."

He added: "We're aggressive back home. We're going to try to get under peoples' skin. They just picked the wrong guy to do it to - and the wrong team to do it to, as well."

Schlittler earned his spot in Yankees lore by recording the most strikeouts by a rookie in a postseason game in franchise history.

The 24-year-old also tied Orlando Hernandez for the third-most punchouts in a playoff start in Yankees history. Only Gerrit Cole (13) and Roger Clemens (15) recorded more.

Schlittler became the first rookie to strike out 10 or more in a postseason contest since 1997.

The pitcher's memorable performance helped the Yankees become the first team since the playoff field expanded in 2022 to win a wild-card series after dropping Game 1. MLB clubs are now 15-1 under the current format.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. led the Yankees with two hits, while Amed Rosario, Anthony Volpe, and Austin Wells had an RBI each.

Red Sox rookie left-hander Connelly Early allowed three earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk over 3 2/3 innings to take the loss.

The Blue Jays beat the Yankees 8-5 in the season series. Their ALDS showdown starts Saturday in Toronto.