David Bednar Closes Game 3, Yankees Top Red Sox

The New York Yankees punched their ticket to the next round of the playoffs with a decisive 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.

Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler fueled the victory with a historic performance, outdueling Boston’s own first-year sensation Connelly Early.

Facing elimination, the Yankees rallied in the fourth inning to claim the lead.

They never looked back, locking up a series win that added a wild twist to playoff history.

Cam Schlittler’s Historic Night

Just months after leaving Double-A Somerset, Cam Schlittler delivered one of the most dominant postseason outings by a Yankees rookie.

The 24-year-old right-hander tore through the Red Sox lineup for eight scoreless innings, piling up 12 strikeouts and setting a new franchise postseason mark for a rookie pitcher.

Overpowering His Childhood Team

In a twist, Schlittler reached the milestone against the team he grew up cheering for.

He showed remarkable poise under the lights, keeping Boston’s bats quiet with a steady mix of pinpoint fastballs and nasty breaking balls.

Afterward, he called himself a “silent killer” and admitted he took pride in shutting down his childhood team in the biggest game of his career.

Early Battle of the Rookies

Boston rookie Connelly Early brought his own brand of early-game dominance.

Through the first nine Yankees at-bats, the lefty surrendered just one hit and kept New York guessing with sharp command and a mix of off-speed stuff.

The Fourth-Inning Breakthrough

Everything changed in the fourth inning when the Yankees finally broke through.

New York went 5-for-8 in a sudden flurry, drew a walk, and pushed across four runs.

Yankee Stadium’s energy just exploded with each hit.

That outburst ended Early’s night and gave Schlittler a comfortable cushion for the late innings.

Closing It Out

With Schlittler’s gem in the books, David Bednar took over in the ninth.

Pushing through his third straight appearance and first postseason, the closer looked unfazed, recording the final three outs and sealing the shutout.

Bednar’s Reliable Arm

Bednar’s steady presence finished off a team effort built on resilience and timely execution.

His ability to show up on consecutive nights really highlights just how valuable he’s become to the Yankees bullpen—though, let’s be honest, that’s easy to overlook until October.

Defying Playoff Odds

The Yankees’ win stands out for more than just Schlittler’s strikeouts.

They’re the first team ever to lose Game 1 of the wild-card round and still win the series.

Before this, teams in that spot had a brutal 1-16 record.

That comeback says a lot about New York’s toughness and depth, and maybe it’s proof that early stumbles in a short series don’t have to spell doom.

Momentum Moving Forward

The stadium’s energy and the chemistry between pitchers and fielders now give the Yankees a wave of confidence heading into the next round.

For young guys like Schlittler, this is the kind of night that shapes a postseason résumé and carves out a spot in franchise lore.

Key Takeaways from Game 3

Several pivotal moments and performances shaped the outcome:

• Cam Schlittler’s record-breaking 12 strikeouts and eight scoreless innings set the tone.
• Fourth-inning offensive surge provided all the runs the Yankees would need.
• David Bednar’s third straight appearance sealed the shutout.
• Historic playoff milestone — first team to rebound from a Game 1 wild-card loss to win the series.

The Yankees took down their long-time rivals on a huge stage. They didn’t just advance; they made a statement with young talent, grit, and a bit of history in the mix.

Honestly, if Game 3 hints at what’s coming, New York fans might be in for a wild October in the Bronx.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Heroes, zeros of Yankees-Red Sox Game 3: David Bednar delivers…