Cam Schlittler's odyssey: Tigers ambush Yankees' starting pitcher

July 1, 2026 - 12:45

New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler endured a brutal outing Tuesday night, as the Detroit Tigers ambushed him for three home runs in a single inning. It marked the first time in his two-year big league career that Schlittler surrendered three long balls in the same frame.

The trouble began in the fourth inning when the Tigers' lineup found their rhythm against the right-hander. Detroit's hitters connected on back-to-back-to-back solo shots, turning a close game into a sudden deficit for the Yankees. The barrage started with a leadoff homer, followed by another blast two batters later, and capped off with a third solo shot before the inning ended. The crowd at Comerica Park erupted as each ball cleared the fence, while Schlittler could only watch from the mound.

Schlittler, who had shown promise earlier in the season, struggled with his command and left pitches over the heart of the plate. The Tigers capitalized on every mistake, punishing fastballs and breaking balls alike. By the time the inning was over, the Yankees trailed by three runs, a hole they could not climb out of.

For Schlittler, the outing was a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Major League Baseball. He finished the night with five innings pitched, allowing four earned runs on seven hits. The loss dropped his record to 4-3 on the season, and the Yankees will look to bounce back in the series finale Wednesday.