Gerrit Cole insists he ‘pitched well’ despite allowing two home runs vs. Nationals

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Gerrit Cole encountered a rough outing against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night, struggling for the first time since early July to make it through the sixth inning. Despite allowing three runs, including two solo home runs, Cole remained steadfast in his belief that his performance was stronger than the stat line might suggest.

Gerrit Cole’s night began with early trouble, as he allowed a one-out single in the second inning, followed by a double that put runners on second and third. Former Yankee Joey Gallo capitalized, driving in the first run with a groundout to second base.

The real damage came in the fourth inning when Gerrit Cole, who had been dominant in recent starts, served up back-to-back home runs. Andres Chaparro, another former Yankee, and José Tena both took Gerrit Cole deep, sending the Nationals ahead 3-0. These two home runs, hit on consecutive pitches, marked a rare moment of vulnerability for Cole, who is usually adept at keeping the ball in the park.

Gerrit Cole’s perspective on his performance

Even though the home runs were decisive, Gerrit Cole remained confident in his command and approach.

“I think I pitched well out of traffic, had good stuff and pretty good command. Ultimately, they beat me today, so it just is what it is,” Cole said after the game. His seven strikeouts and ability to navigate around baserunners highlighted his resilience, even in the face of a tough night.

This outing was particularly surprising given Gerrit Cole’s recent form. Coming into the game, he had been on a roll, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.17 ERA over his last four starts since missing a turn in the rotation due to general body fatigue. However, on this night, the Nationals’ Patrick Corbin, who had struggled throughout the season with a 3-12 record and a 5.73 ERA, outdueled the Yankees’ ace by tossing six shutout innings.

The Yankees‘ offense didn’t provide Cole any support, managing just two hits off Corbin and failing to capitalize on late-game opportunities. They loaded the bases in the eighth inning with no outs, but Aaron Judge grounded into a run-scoring double play that halted any momentum. Despite a late rally attempt in the ninth inning, which included a leadoff double from Jazz Chisholm Jr. and singles from Austin Wells and Alex Verdugo, the Yankees couldn’t close the gap, ultimately falling 4-2.

Gerrit Cole’s performance, though not up to his usual standards, wasn’t without positives. He worked out of several tight spots, demonstrating his ability to limit damage despite allowing more hits and runs than usual. However, his frustration was evident, particularly after the back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning, where he stared out at the field in disbelief.

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