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)

Britain says it has reached an agreement with Israel over its consulate in east Jerusalem, even as Israel said the building had “ceased to function” as a consulate and that 20 diplomats would leave the country. The sign outside it was removed.

The British military said late Wednesday that several projectiles struck a tanker off the coast of Qatar, causing multiple casualties, but did not provide more details.

Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Thursday. Read our full coverage here.

Britain said it had reached an agreement with Israel's government to downgrade its consulate in east Jerusalem, and a small team of diplomats will continue to operate in what will now be known as the U.K. Mission.

Israel's government said last month it would close the consulate in response to the United Kingdom banning trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement that the consulate had “ceased to function as a consulate.” He said twenty British diplomats will leave Israel, and that the building will continue to operate with seven diplomats engaged in limited activity.

“Israel will no longer turn its cheek to diplomatic attacks against it," he said.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband denied the building will close and said it will be known as the U.K. Mission. Miliband said the seven diplomats remaining will continue to work with Palestinians, but gave no details. The UK said based on the current agreement, it would not take reciprocal action such as expelling Israeli diplomats from London.

The British military said late Wednesday that several projectiles struck a tanker off the coast of Qatar, causing multiple casualties.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said the attack took place in the Persian Gulf, north of Qatar’s city of Madinat ash Shamal. The city is on the northern tip of Qatar.

The U.K. military did not identify the tanker and did not provide any details about the casualties. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack and no comment from Qatar.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former military secretary has accused the Israeli leader of altering official transcripts of phone calls from the morning of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.

The accusations by Maj. Gen. Avi Gil came in a wide-ranging interview with the right-wing Israel Hayom newspaper.

In excerpts of the interview published Thursday, Gil accused Netanyahu of attempting to change records of their phone calls in the first hour of the attack, possibly in an attempt to shift blame for failures that morning from the prime minister to his advisers.

Gil said he reported the attempt, allegedly made by Netanyahu's chief of staff, to the attorney general. Gil served as military secretary from 2021 to 2024.

In the interview, Gil also confirmed that a senior Egyptian intelligence official had visited Israel shortly before the Oct. 7 attack. Asked whether there had been a warning, Gil said he did not know what message was relayed, but added: "Whoever met with someone or received something is still concealing it today.”

Gil’s full interview is expected to be published over the weekend, and an interview with an Israeli TV channel is also planned.

The report comes as Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, is seeking re-election on Oct. 27. His Likud party told Israel Hayom that Gil's comments are part of an attempt to oust Netanyahu from power, the paper said.

This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.

Barricades block the main road leading to British Consulate after the sign outside the consulate was taken down, in east Jerusalem, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

A car enters the British Consulate after the sign outside the consulate was taken down, in east Jerusalem, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

A mosque's minaret and buildings are seen in the West Bank village of Abu Dis behind the Israel's separation wall near Jerusalem, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)