Yankees allow six runs through first six games
New York Yankees pitchers limited opponents to six runs through the team's first six games of the 2026 season, the third-fewest total in major league history. Cam Schlittler anchored Wednesday night's 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners with six innings of two-hit ball and seven strikeouts. Seattle scored all three runs against the Yankees bullpen, with Cal Raleigh driving in two and Dominic Canzone one.
Schlittler, making his second start, relied on a four-seam fastball early, a sinker in the middle innings and a cutter late. "Early on, it was the four-seam. Middle of the game, it was the two-seam. And then later on, it was the cutter," Schlittler said. "So again, felt pretty strong with the game plan I had, and just attacking guys with those three pitches."
MLB researcher Sarah Langs noted that only the 2002 San Francisco Giants and 1915 Philadelphia Phillies allowed fewer than six runs through six games, both with five. Schlittler opened the season with 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Giants. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised his command. "His calling card since he got in the organization was his ability to throw strikes with his fastball," Boone said. "And now, as he’s gone to another level from a stuff standpoint, that’s really served him well." The Yankees opened without ace Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, both on the injured list.
Schlittler credited the staff's cohesion. "I think this staff’s dominant," he said. "The bullpen’s been great as well. So, I think the team as a whole, (we're) just feeding off each other and taking it into each game and each start and just keep rolling with it." The Yankees return home Friday to face the Miami Marlins in their opener at Yankee Stadium.
