TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried lost a no-hit bid in Sunday’s 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays just as the bottom of the eighth inning was about to start when the official scorer changed a sixth-inning call to a hit from an error. Rookie Chandler Simpson hit a grounder into the hole between first and second with one out in the sixth and reached when the ball bounced off the glove of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Official scorer Bill Mathews at first called the play an error, but after reviewing video footage, he determined that Simpson would have beaten any throw to first base. This decision came just as Fried was preparing to pitch in the eighth inning, marking a bittersweet moment for the pitcher who had been on the verge of history.
Despite the scoring decision, Fried was stellar on the mound, allowing only two hits over 7 2/3 innings while throwing 102 pitches. The Yankees had a solid defensive showing, making three critical plays that kept the Rays hitless until the eighth inning. Fried’s performance was highlighted by his hustle to first base in the third inning, where he narrowly beat the speedy Simpson on a grounder to Goldschmidt.
Trent Grisham also made a spectacular diving catch in deep right-center to rob Jake Mangum of a hit in the fifth inning, and then he turned a double play by throwing out Danny Jansen, who was attempting to tag up. Meanwhile, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. sprinted 74 feet to make a backhand grab of Christopher Morel’s popup, showcasing the Yankees’ defensive prowess.
Fried, who improved to 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA, signed a massive $218 million, eight-year contract with the Yankees during the offseason, and he continues to justify that investment with his impressive performances. The Yankees had taken a 3-0 lead by the time the eighth inning rolled around, with contributions from their lineup. In the third inning, Cody Bellinger hit into a run-scoring forceout, and Grisham had already made his mark by hitting a leadoff homer in the first inning.
In fact, Grisham lined Ryan Pepiot’s third pitch of the game into the right-center bleachers, marking his fifth career leadoff homer. This was his first time hitting leadoff since June 4, 2023, and he also homered off Shane Baz the day before. Bellinger added to the scoring with a solo shot off Pepiot in the sixth inning, while Austin Wells capped off the scoring with a homer against Garrett Cleavinger in the ninth.
Fried’s outing was reminiscent of his previous no-hit attempts. Last May 11, he pitched seven hitless innings for the Atlanta Braves against the New York Mets before being pulled after 109 pitches. He had also come close to a combined no-hitter in a later start, only to see it broken up by a home run from J.D. Martinez.
However, the day wasn’t without its drama. In the eighth inning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected for the 40th time in his managerial career and for the first time this season. The incident occurred after Aaron Judge hit a drive to deep left that was ruled foul—a decision upheld in a video review. Following that, Judge was called out on strikes, leading to a heated exchange with plate umpire Adam Beck. Boone rushed out of the dugout to defend his player, only to be tossed from the game.
Even with the ejection and the late-game drama, Fried’s performance was the highlight of the day. He showed poise and control, striking out two and walking two, while his teammates provided the necessary support on both offense and defense. The Yankees’ win over the Rays not only solidified their standing but also showcased the potential of a team that is beginning to find its rhythm as the season progresses.
As the game unfolded, it became clear that the Yankees were in control, leading 3-0 before the Rays finally managed to get a hit in the eighth. The only other baserunners for Tampa Bay came on two walks and a hit by pitch, alongside three errors committed by the Yankees, two of which were throwing errors by third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera. Goldschmidt also contributed to the error tally with his misplay in the sixth.
Fried’s remarkable outing, despite the no-hit bid being broken, stands as a testament to his skill and determination. With the Yankees continuing to build momentum, fans are left excited about what the rest of the season may hold. As for the Rays, they’ll need to regroup quickly, especially after their Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls, no-hit the Yankees' Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders just the day before.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses. For Fried, the focus will be on maintaining his form and helping the Yankees secure their position as serious contenders in the league.
With the Yankees’ pitching staff showing depth and the lineup beginning to click, the upcoming games will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the season. Fried’s performance against the Rays is just one chapter in what promises to be an exciting season for the Yankees and their fans.
