Schmidt sharp for 6 innings as New York blanks Tampa | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Clarke Schmidt allowed five hits in 6 2/3 innings, Anthony Rizzo homered and drove in two runs, and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 on Friday night.

Schmidt (4-1) struck out six and walked two as he extended his season-opening run of allowing three or fewer runs to eight starts.

“He had a little bit of everything going,” Yankees Manager Aaron Boone said. “Really sharp performance.”

Schmidt matched the longest outing of his career by getting the first two outs of the seventh.

“I know what I’m capable of doing,” Schmidt said. “I know I’m very well capable of controlling my pitch count and going deeper in games. This is a big step in the right direction.”

Schmidt’s only other 6 2/3-inning performance came in Tampa last August.

Yankees closer Clay Holmes had a stressful ninth inning. He walked two batters with one out and struck out Isaac Paredes looking before pinch-hitter Austin Shenton singled to load the bases. Holmes then struck out Jonny DeLuca to secure his 12th save in 13 chances and complete a six-hitter.

Rizzo had a fourth-inning RBI single and connected on a first-pitch home run against Shawn Armstrong leading off the ninth to help the Yankees win for the sixth time in seven games.

Rays starter Taj Bradley (0-1) gave up 1 run, 4 hits and struck out 7 over 6 innings in his season debut. The right-hander had been on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain.

Bradley reached 99.2 mph.

“Couldn’t be more pleased with the way Taj threw the ball,” Rays Manager Kevin Cash said.

Boone was impressed, too.

“Ninety-eight. Cutter. Split. Flashes good curveball,” Boone said. “He’s aggressive. He’s got a great arm. He’s got really good stuff.”

Tampa Bay dropped to 19-20.

Giancarlo Stanton got the Yankees’ first hit off Bradley, an 116.4 mph single to left with two outs in the fourth that advanced Aaron Judge from first to third. Rizzo’s single made it 1-0.

Judge walked twice, giving him 30 this season. He hit a 108.1 mph, 407-foot six-inning flyball caught at the center-field wall.

Tampa Bay had two runners caught stealing and another picked off first.

    New York Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo watches his RBI single off Tampa Bay Rays starter Taj Bradley during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
  

    New York Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas, left, congratulates Aaron Judge after he reached third base on Giancarlo Stanton’s single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
  

    Umpire Quinn Wolcott watches New York Yankees’ Jon Berti, left, tag out Tampa Bay Rays’ José Caballero on an attempted steal of third base during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
  

    Tampa Bay Rays catcher Alex Jackson, left, watches the play as New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge scores on Anthony Rizzo’s single during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
  

    Umpire Ramon De Jesus (18) watches as Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena beats the tag from New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a pickoff throw during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
  

    Tampa Bay Rays starter Taj Bradley pitches to a New York Yankees batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)