New York Yankees 3, Seattle Mariners 1
NEW YORK — Gerrit Cole stared at Jose Caballero and firmly shook his finger at the Seattle Mariners’ bench fifteen times in a way that was his own. This move was a direct response to the rookie’s constant interruptions during the New York Yankees’ 3-1 win on Tuesday night. It came after he had a strong seventh inning in which he struck out all three batters. Their four-game losing streak ended with this big win.
Following Caballero’s decision to step out with an 0-2 count in the seventh inning, Cole unleashed a blazing 97 mph fastball that soared straight into the backstop. With his unrivaled pitching prowess, the Yankees’ formidable ace enticed Caballero to swing and miss at a full-count fastball. As the rookie dejectedly retreated from the batter’s box, Cole fixated his gaze upon him, maintaining an intense stare. However, his attention quickly shifted towards the Mariners’ dugout, where he confidently wagged his right index finger repeatedly, conveying a clear message of dominance and superiority.
Plate umpire Dan Bellino proceeded to stride purposefully towards the New York dugout, engaging in a fervent and impassioned conversation with manager Aaron Boone.
Maintaining his impressive record of 8-1, Cole exhibited exceptional skill by conceding just one run and four hits across 7 1/3 innings. Accompanied by eight strikeouts and a solitary walk, his performance was truly remarkable. As the moment arrived for him to make way for Clay Holmes, the crowd of 43,130 rose to their feet, offering a heartfelt standing ovation. In a gesture of gratitude, Cole gracefully lifted his right index finger and thumb, gently tipping his cap to acknowledge the appreciative spectators as he made his way towards the dugout.
This season, whenever the Yankees have suffered a loss, Cole has achieved an exceptional record of 4 wins and 0 losses, boasting an impressive 1.87 ERA. Remarkably, in all of Cole’s starts following a Yankees loss, the team has remained undefeated, triumphing in all 7 of those games.
In a swift and efficient manner, Holmes secured his ninth save in eleven opportunities by recording five consecutive outs. His remarkable performance concluded a game that was remarkably brief, clocking in at a mere 2 hours and 9 minutes.
Facing George Kirby (6-6), Anthony Rizzo delivered an impactful RBI double, sending the ball off the right-field wall during the first inning. Soon after, Billy McKinney provided an additional spark with a colossal two-run homer that traveled an impressive distance of 432 feet. These offensive contributions proved to be a significant uplift for the struggling Yankees, who entered the game with the lowest batting average (.192) and the fewest runs (49) in the entire month of June across the major leagues.
In the sixth inning, Jarred Kelenic showcased his skill by driving an opposite-field RBI double for the Seattle Mariners. The well-placed hit found its way off the left-field wall, with McKinney initially getting a slow start before the ball was in play.
Since Aaron Judge sustained an injury to his right big toe on June 3, the New York Yankees have faced a challenging stretch, recording a 5-8 record during that period. Furthermore, the team has struggled throughout the season when their star slugger has been on the injured list, tallying a modest 9-14 record. However, when the formidable AL MVP is healthy and available to play, the Yankees have excelled, boasting an impressive 31-19 record.
In a remarkable turn of events, Rizzo managed to break out of a dreadful slump by delivering an outstanding performance at the plate. Going 3 for 4, he defied the odds and put an end to a disappointing 4-for-48 (.083) slide that had plagued him since his unfortunate neck injury during a collision with San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. at first base on May 28.
Several Yankees find themselves deeply entrenched in frustrating slumps.
Giancarlo Stanton’s struggles continued as he went hitless, registering a disappointing 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. Since his return from a hamstring injury, his batting average plummeted to .111 (5 for 45) with a staggering 17 strikeouts. Similarly, Josh Donaldson experienced a tough outing, going 0 for 3 and dropping his average to .150 (6 for 40) since recovering from his hamstring strain. Both players faced the unpleasant experience of being repeatedly booed by the crowd.
Kirby, hailing from the suburban town of Rye, put on an impressive performance, conceding eight hits over the course of seven innings. With four strikeouts and no walks, he showcased his skill and control on the mound. Notably, a substantial group of Kirby’s family and friends were in attendance, adding to the significance of the moment.
UP NEXT
The Yankees have made a decision to summon right-handed pitcher Jhony Brito (3-3, 5.58) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Brito is set to make his long-awaited return to the starting rotation, marking his first start since May 20. This opportunity arose due to the unfortunate rainout in Boston on Saturday, which led to a doubleheader being scheduled for Sunday, creating a need for an additional starting pitcher.
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