Max Fried keeps Yankees surging with 13 K's, earns 18th win - ESPN

BALTIMORE — There's nothing like watching Max Fried pitch to alleviate some 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 7-0 rout. The left-hander struck out 13 and allowed only three singles over seven sparkling innings.

«Fun,» Boone said afterward. «I just love watching him pitch. He's such a good athlete, and you see the athleticism on the mound — the different ways he can get you out.»

The swing-and-a-miss was the fashion in which Fried (18-5) got most 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 said. «I'm feeling really good physically.»

The 13 strikeouts tied a career high and the 18 wins marked a career best for the former Atlanta standout, who signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with New York as a free agent in December.

So far, Fried is looking like a very good investment.

«I feel like he's in a real good spot. He's throwing the ball well,» Boone said. «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 12 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