Yankees hold on in Texas behind Cam Schlittler and a showcase on defense

Apr 28, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images So far this year the Yankees have regularly teetered on a knife’s edge from game to game. They typically do enough to win a game but routinely give themselves enough opportunities to give it away.

The late innings following a quotidian quality start from Cam Schlittler were typically dicey for the Yankee bullpen, but a couple heroic plays allowed them to stay a whisker’s length ahead of the Rangers. Schlittler outdueled the legendary Jacob deGrom to earn the win, and big insurance home runs from Austin Wells and Aaron Judge proved essential to give New York a series victory. The Bomber bats arrived to the ballpark early in an opening half-inning which, but for a difference of a few feet, could have plated three runs but scored only one.

A two-out walk to Aaron Judge (not so easy to get away with these days! ) set the table for a wall-scraping double by Cody Bellinger which missed clearing the right center fence by a few feet. Judge still scored without a play from first base.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a deep drive to center, but a stupendous play from Evan Carter saved extra bases and ended the inning. The Yankees’ gloves proved similarly available from the jump.