Gerrit Cole pitched out of a jam and danced from the mound at Sahlen Field, pumping his right fist and bellowing toward his team’s dugout. In what was expected to be his final start of the regular season, the Yankees’ ace looked like he was ready for the playoffs.
Cole permitted only a solo homer over seven sharp innings, pitching the Bombers to their ninth victory in 11 games. Aaron Hicks drove in three runs as the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays, 12-1, on Tuesday evening in Buffalo, N.Y.
Looking great out there, @GerritCole45 ? pic.twitter.com/pz7pnclQqq
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 23, 2020
Cole has said that he has been rounding into midseason form, having limited opponents to two earned runs over his last 21 innings (0.86 ERA), all of which came with catcher Kyle Higashioka behind the plate. That comes as a good sign for a Yanks squad that will lean heavily upon his services as they enter the postseason.
Cavan Biggio’s fourth-inning homer was the only blemish on Cole’s line, as he scattered five hits and struck out seven without a walk. Unless Cole unexpectedly pitches this weekend, the right-hander will complete his first year in pinstripes with a 7-3 record and 2.84 ERA, with 94 strikeouts against 17 walks over 12 starts (73 innings).
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].