Fried roasts O's as NY Yankees climb up

Max Fried struck out 13 batters across seven shutout innings and set a career high with his 18th win as the New York Yankees beat the hosts, Baltimore Orioles, 7-0 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

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The Yankees have won six of their last eight games as they continue to stay within striking distance of first-place Toronto in the American League East. With the Blue Jays losing earlier in the day, this win cut the division margin to three games with nine left to play.

Fried (18-5), who held the Orioles to three singles and one walk, struck out three batters in both the third and sixth innings. He has won five consecutive starts. Paul Blackburn pitched the final two innings to complete the shutout, adding two strikeouts.

Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells each had two hits for the Yankees, who have won three games in a row. New York racked up nine hits and eight walks.