NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees advanced to the American League Division Series on Wednesday night, and left-hander Max Fried had a hand in them beating the Boston Red Sox, 9-2.

Unlike teammate Cam Schlitter, Fried wasn’t overpowering but he lasted six innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out six. He started the game by retiring 17 of the first 20 hitters he faced. Fried’s only blemish came in the sixth, when he allowed a solo homer to Willson Contreras to make it a 2-1 game in favor of New York. Fried was able to use all of his pitches – sweeper, curveball, changeup and four seamer. 

“I was able to throw different pitches in different counts, not giving in,” Fried told reporters "I really had some good defensive plays behind me. All of that considered, I was able to come out and have a good outing.”

Fried also loved when the Yankees put the game on ice in the bottom of the sixth when they scored six runs. With left-hander Garrett Crochet on the mound, it appeared that Spencer Jones struck out. However, the ball went by catcher Adley Rutschman and Jones was able to beat the throw to first base. 

Jones stole second and then advanced to third on a throwing error by Rutschman. George Lombard Jr. then singled to right field to send Jones home to make it a two-run game. 

“George is mature beyond his years. He is a really good player. He has a slow heartbeat. He showed up so far in this series. I’m excited to see how it goes in the next one,” Fried said.    

New York would score four more runs that inning. Cody Bellinger highlighted the frame with a three-run homer off right-hander Garrett Whitlock.

“Baseball can be a whacky sport. You see something new every day. Just gotta keep on going out, playing. Great series, but we've got a lot more to do,” Bellinger said.  

For Fried, this is his second game-clinching victory in the postseason. The last time he pulled such a victory occurred on Nov. 1, 2021, when he helped the Braves win the World Series by pitching six shutout innings in a 7-0 victory over the Astros. 

“It’s a little different," Fried said about the two clinching wins. "But any time you can go out there and pitch and have one of these (champagne celebrations) afterward, it’s a lot of fun. It’s a good time. We really played good baseball today. It was a really well-rounded game. Everybody did their part. I’m really proud of them."   

The Yankees now play the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. It will not be easy. The Rays are fundamentally sound and do the little things -- bunting, stealing and situational hitting -- to win games.

“(We) have to make sure (we) are on top of it. They do everything. They bunt, don’t strikeout and play good defense,” Fried said. "For us, it’s important to play clean baseball. We have the talent. It’s about making sure we play our game, go out there and play good, timely baseball.”  

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.