Schlittler takes over big league ERA lead, Yanks beat Mets 2-0 to close in on postseason berth

NEW YORK (AP) — Cam Schlittler took over the major league ERA lead, combining on a three-hitter that helped the New York Yankees close in on a record 61st postseason berth with a 2-0 win over the Mets on Sunday,

Schlittler (14-6) allowed one hit over six innings, his 21st start this year allowing one run or none. The only other pitcher 25 or younger with more in the last 110 years was the Los Angeles Angels' Dean Chance with 22 in 1964, according to Major League Baseball.

Schlittler's 1.945 ERA dropped below the 1.952 of Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski. Schlitter struck out eight and walked two as the Mets went 0 for 11 against his fastball.

Ben Rice led off his his 38th home run for the Yankees and Austin Wells ended an 0-for-20 slide with a third-inning homer into the right field second deck off Christian Scott (4-5).

Aaron Judge struck out three times and is 3 for 17 since returning Tuesday from a broken rib.

The Yankees (86-63), who lead the AL wild-card race and trail Tampa Bay by four games in the AL East, took two of three in the weekend Subway Series. They were in position to clinch their ninth postseason berth in 10 seasons depending on other team's results Sunday.

Schlittler (14-6) pitched 4 2/3 hitless innings before Brett Baty doubled off the right field wall on his 73rd pitch. Schlitter finished his 94-pitch outing by taking an 111.5 mph comebacker by Bo Bichette off the back of his right hamstring that deflected to Wells. Schlittler walked off the field and went directly to the clubhouse.

The right-hander struck out Francisco Lindor twice on fastballs, including a high fastball for a swinging strikeout in the sixth. He also fanned Juan Soto on a check swing with a 98 mph fastball and the slugger stood with both hands on his hips.

Brent Headrick (76th appearance), Paul Blackburn and David Bednar (34th save in 37 chances) finished the Yankees' 14th shutout. Each team had three hits.

A day after hitting six homers, the Mets were blanked for the 14th time. They are 22-14 since the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Mets RHP Jonah Tong (2-1, 4.80 ERA) opposes Baltimore RHP Brandon Young (9-4, 3.71) Monday in Pete Alonso’s return to Queens.

Yankees RHP Will Warren (10-6, 4.05) faces RHP Dean Kremer (3-5, 5.65) in the opener of a three-game series Monday in Minnesota.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

New York Yankees Cam Schlittler throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Yankees Cam Schlittler prepares to throw during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Yankees' Austin Wells, right, runs the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

The crowd watches a hit by New York Yankees Austin Wells become a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Yankees' Austin Wells runs the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge removes his batting helmet after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings have suspended Dylan Larkin without pay and taken him off the roster after they said his agent told the team the center will no longer play for the franchise, growing frustrated by its inability to move him months after he asked for a trade.

“We are disappointed by his decision, particularly given his obligations to the organization and his teammates,” interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said in a statement Thursday, shortly before Detroit hosted Chicago.

Detroit coach Todd McLellan told reporters earlier in the day that Larkin would not play against the Blackhawks, adding that Horcoff was expected to address the move.

Larkin asked for a trade in the offseason after the franchise extended its postseason drought to a decade, but he started the season still on the team but stripped of the captaincy.

“We’ve talked to the teams on Dylan’s list and we’ve taken calls from other teams around the league that have expressed interest in Dylan," Horcoff said. "We just continue to try to find a solution that fits for both sides.”

Messages seeking comment were left with Larkin's agent, Pat Brisson.

Larkin is the second NHL player suspended without pay this fall after requesting a trade during the offseason. Winnipeg did that with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck — a U.S. Olympic teammate of Larkin's — before sending him to New Jersey last week.

Now it's Larkin, who will forfeit roughly $41,000 a day while suspended.

The 30-year-old center has two goals and six assists in 10 games, giving him 278 goals and 649 points in 818 games since making his debut with his hometown Red Wings during the 2015-16 season. Larkin, who is from Waterford, Michigan, was drafted by Detroit No. 15 overall in 2014 after playing for the Wolverines in college.

He was a key player for the United States when it won Olympic gold last February at the Milan Cortina Games.

After missing two games with an upper-body injury, he scored in his season debut — after being booed when he touched the puck on his first shift — to help Detroit beat Ottawa. He scored again on Monday night in a win at Edmonton.

“I wanted to try to do what I could to keep Dylan here in a Red Wings jersey,” Horcoff said. “Clearly, I was unsuccessful doing that.”

Larkin has a full no-trade clause as part of his eight-year contract, which has five years remaining with an annual salary cap hit of $8.7 million. He initially told the Red Wings he would accept a trade to Florida, Minnesota and Vegas before reportedly adding more possibilities in recent weeks.

Horcoff said his goal is to acquire players that can help right away, adding he's open to deals for prospects and draft picks that give the franchise a fair return for someone of Larkin's caliber.

“With the teams that Dylan has on his list, it’s difficult to get something done in a trade like this,” Horcoff said.

Nearly a month into the season, standout defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old Swede had nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last year, his second full season in the NHL. Detroit drafted him No. 6 overall in 2021 and he has 19 career goals and 60 points in 175 games.

The Red Wings want him on the team and have no interest in signing and trading him.

“Nothing’s changed," Horcoff said.

In desperately need of good news two weeks ago, the Red Wings signed two-time All-Star forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year contract worth $13 million per season.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan, standing left, talks with defenseman Justin Faulk, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin reacts after his attempt was blocked by Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer for a Kraken win during a shootout in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) defends the net against Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin (71) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)