Gerrit Cole delivered a commanding nine-inning performance on Friday night, helping the New York Yankees secure a 4-2 extra-innings win against the Oakland Athletics. Cole’s standout outing came at a crucial time for the Yankees, as they inch closer to clinching the AL East. His performance followed a week of criticism stemming from his previous start against the Boston Red Sox.
One person who wasn’t shy about defending the Yankees ace was his former teammate, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon.
Taillon defends Gerrit Cole after criticism
Fansided
Taillon, who played alongside Gerrit Cole in both Pittsburgh and New York, took to social media to voice his support after Cole’s tough start against Boston. The Yankees’ ace had received backlash for walking Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers in a key moment, which led to a seven-run inning and a frustrating loss. Taillon, however, urged fans to take a broader view of Cole’s contributions.
“A lot of people had bad opinions on Gerrit Cole over the last week! The man deserves respect. He goes out and pitches nine innings,” Taillon tweeted after Cole’s dominant showing in Oakland.
A lot of people had BAD bad bad opinions on Gerrit Cole over the last week! The dude deserves respect.He goes out and goes 9…. 🤫
Taillon’s defense of Gerrit Cole didn’t stop there. In a follow-up message, Taillon called Cole a “first-ballot Hall of Fame teammate” and dismissed the criticism as an overreaction to a single moment in an otherwise stellar career.
“Just funny to me… the guy is a first-ballot Hall of Fame teammate and obviously a Hall of Fame player. People form opinions over one moment of one outing,” Taillon wrote.
Just funny to me.. the guy is a first ballot hall of fame teammate, and obviously player. And people form opinions over one moment of one outing. What he’s done for 10 years speaks louder than 1 insignificant moment (they took 3 of 4)
In that game, Gerrit Cole allowed just one run on two hits, striking out seven batters while walking only one. His lone setback came in the fourth inning when the Athletics briefly took a 1-0 lead on two singles and a stolen base. However, Cole rebounded, retiring the next 13 batters he faced and keeping the Yankees in position to win the game in extra innings.
Gerrit Cole’s dominant outing in Oakland was a timely reminder of his ability to perform under pressure. His performance helped the Yankees extend their lead in the AL East, with their magic number to clinch the division now down to five. The Yankees scored three runs in the 10th inning, thanks to contributions from Jasson Dominguez, Juan Soto, and Anthony Volpe, to secure the victory.
As the Yankees approach the final stretch of the regular season, Gerrit Cole’s rebound, combined with the vocal support from former teammates like Taillon, reinforces his status as one of the game’s top pitchers. With the postseason on the horizon, Cole’s performance signals that he remains a crucial asset for New York’s championship aspirations.
Amanda Paula is a sports writer with a passion for American football and a keen interest in the NY Yankees. Raised among Americans in Brazil, Mandy's unique cultural background has greatly influenced her career and provided her with a diverse perspective on the world of sports. Born and raised in Brazil, Amanda developed a deep appreciation for sports at a young age. Growing up in a community with a robust American presence, she was exposed to various sports, but baseball captivated her heart. Inspired by the passion and tactics of the game, Amanda dedicated herself to studying and understanding the intricacies of the sport. Amanda's love for American sports and soccer led her to pursue a career in sports journalism. She obtained a degree in journalism from a prestigious university, where she honed her skills in writing and reporting. Her studies gave her a solid foundation in journalism ethics, research methodologies, and effective storytelling techniques. After completing her education, Amanda embarked on her professional journey as a sports writer. Her unique background as a Brazilian immersed in American culture gave her a fresh perspective on American sports.
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