Yankees ace Gerrit Cole dazzles in Detroit, twirls season’s first shutout

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DETROIT — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole nears his Cy Young form of 2023 for the first time in the 2024 season in the win against the Tigers. The right-hander delivered a stellar performance, pitching six scoreless innings against the Tigers at Comerica Park on Saturday leading the Yankees to a 3-0 victory.

This brilliant effort also marked Cole’s first shutout of the season. Aaron Judge praised his recent performance, commending the pitcher’s outstanding command from the very start. He pointed out Gerrit Cole’s precise fastball placement, increased velocity, and the sharpness of both his slider and curveball in recent outings.

“It was impressive,” the Yankees cpatin told. “Even from the first inning, fastball command was there, [velocity] was ticking up, and that slider and curveball have been really sharp these past two outings. So that was impressive to see. When he’s looking like that, I want him to go all nine innings.” 

Fortunately, Gerrit Cole’s recent performances indicate a return to his elite form. It also put to rest doubts among Yankees fans following his sudden withdrawal from his scheduled start on trade deadline day due to “general body fatigue” hinting at Gerrit Cole’s potential influence in the team’s late-season and postseason plans.

This dominant showing suggests that Gerrit Cole may be regaining his rhythm at a pivotal time, potentially strengthening the Yankees’ chances as they push toward October baseball.

The Tigers’ lineup isn’t particularly strong. But Gerrit Cole’s dominance was clear as he struck out eight batters and allowed just six base runners over six shutout innings. This performance marked a significant milestone for hi, as it was only the third time in ten starts this season that he completed six innings. The achievement is even more impressive considering Gerrit Cole missed the first two and a half months of the season due to elbow nerve inflammation.

Gerrit Cole’s performance on Friday showcased his improved stamina, as he reached 95 pitches before finishing his outing. His final pitch, a blazing 96 mph fastball, froze Jace Jung for a called strike three, stranding two runners in the sixth inning. Manager Aaron Boone commended Cole’s poise and control, calling it another strong outing.

Gerrit Cole boost for the Yankees

His recent form has been exceptional. In the three starts following his unexpected scratch against the Phillies, Gerrit Cole has posted a stellar 1.59 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 17 innings. This resurgence is a promising sign for the Yankees as they head into the crucial stretch of the season.

Gerrit Cole’s outstanding performance on Friday helped the Yankees secure their third consecutive win, pushing them into a one-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East standings. The pitcher expressed satisfaction with his recent outings, highlighting his ability to effectively vary his pitches and maintain precise location across different velocities—a sign he saw as encouraging.

“Today was good — the last few have been really good,” he said. “I was able to dial it back, push it up and locate at both those ends of the spectrum. So that’s a good sign.” 

Despite his strong performance, some effects from his previously skipped start lingered. In that game, Gerrit Cole had struck out ten batters over 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run. However, manager Aaron Boone had imposed a strict pitch limit, pulling Cole after only 90 pitches. This cautious strategy emphasized the team’s commitment to keeping their ace healthy for the critical games ahead.

After Gerrit Cole’s exit, the bullpen continued the momentum seamlessly. Luke Weaver, Tommy Kahnle, and Clay Holmes each pitched a scoreless inning to secure the victory. Jose Trevino, returning from the injured list, caught the combined shutout, as the Yankees notched their 13th win in their last 18 games, underscoring their strong recent form.

However, the seventh inning brought a moment of tension when Anthony Volpe misplayed a popup with two outs, allowing the Tigers to put runners on second and third.

Weaver showed resilience by regaining control and getting the team out of the tight spot, effectively backing up his shortstop. This crucial effort allowed the Yankees to preserve their three-run lead.

The Yankees’ offense was just enough, with their first run coming in the opening inning, followed by two solo home runs. Oswald Peraza launched his first homer of the year in the fifth inning. Judge added to the tally with another towering shot, fresh off his milestone 300th career home run.

Peraza, speaking through an interpreter, expressed his satisfaction with being able to contribute to the team’s victory. He highlighted the hard work he put in during his time in Triple-A to rebuild his confidence while sharing his joy at making an immediate impact in a winning effort.

“To come up here and be able to help, especially in a win, to get results and help win game, extremely happy,” he said.

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