Yankees ace Fried makes winning fun for manager Boone and NY teammates

BALTIMORE AP There s nothing like watching Max Fried pitch to alleviate certain of the angst and pressure associated with managing the New York Yankees in the midst of a pennant race Aaron Boone had a blast Thursday night watching Fried mow down the Baltimore Orioles in a - rout The left-hander struck out and allowed only three singles over seven sparkling innings Fun Boone reported afterward I just love watching him pitch He s such a good athlete and you see the athleticism on the mound the different methods he can get you out The swing-and-a-miss was the fashion in which Fried - got largest part of his outs against the last-place Orioles Mixing his fastball with a nasty changeups and a drop down curveball the lefty struck out everyone in the starting lineup at least once except for Gunnar Henderson I was able both sides of the plate and had a real good feel for my changeup Fried announced I m feeling really good physically The strikeouts tied a career high and the wins marked a career best for the former Atlanta standout who signed an eight-year million contract with New York as a free agent in December So far Fried is looking like a very good funding I feel like he s in a real good spot He s throwing the ball well Boone announced He s an ace and he pitches like that He s had a phenomenal year to this point And not just on the mound either The type of person and teammate he is he s everything you d want in bringing someone in to be a featured guy in your rotation Boone noted The Orioles had no chance Fried retired straight after allowing a second-inning single to Coby Mayo and struck out Tyler O Neill with two on and two outs in the sixth It was so tough He just hammered down and away with that sinker Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino noted And he painted That catcher s setting up on the black and he s hitting the glove preponderance of the night The changeup was really good That is an ace right there without a doubt The surging Yankees have won of to get within three games of first-place Toronto in the AL East Come playoff time Boone knows who he can turn to in a big challenge He s had a number of pretty impressive games this year Boone stated This was really good really efficient And a total blast to watch from the Yankees dugout It s a lot of fun Boone commented watching him when he s in a rhythm like that AP MLB https apnews com MLB Source