Yankees’ Gerrit Cole goes wire-to-wire in 9-inning marathon in Oakland

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Gerrit Cole delivered a standout performance in his latest outing, bouncing back from a previous start marred by controversy. This time, he displayed his dominance on the mound, signaling his readiness for the high-pressure environment of October.

Unlike his prior start, which unraveled after an intentional walk, Gerrit Cole was in control throughout the Yankees’ 4-2 win over the Athletics, a game that stretched into extra innings at the Coliseum. He completed nine innings, demonstrating the form that made him the Yankees’ ace.

Gerrit Cole acknowledged the challenge of fine-tuning his approach after his last appearance, aiming to improve without overcorrecting. He expressed his eagerness to make a positive impact in a critical moment for the team.

“You want to pitch better, but you try not to over-adjust, either,” the Yankees ace said. “It’s kind of a balance. I was excited to pitch today because I had a chance to go do something positive for the team.”

The days leading up to the start were filled with scrutiny, but it only seemed to sharpen Gerrit Cole’s focus. Despite facing a struggling Athletics team, he turned in what many saw as his best performance of the season.

For the first time this year, Gerrit Cole worked into the ninth inning, pitching efficiently through the eighth and ninth frames. His command kept the Yankees competitive until the offense, led by Juan Soto, broke through in extras to secure the victory.

With just eight games left in the regular season, the win helped New York maintain a four-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East. Gerrit Cole’s 99-pitch complete game was a major factor in preserving that lead.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Gerrit Cole’s effort, emphasizing how his efficiency on the mound kept the team in position to win despite offensive struggles. Boone commended the ace pitcher’s ability to step up when the team needed him most.

“Just an outstanding performance,” the Yankees manager told. “Nine innings, to be that pitch-efficient, I’m just proud of him. He obviously put us in a position to win a game where we were struggling to get much offense going for most of it. He kept us right there.”

Gerrit Cole back on track in a good omen for Yankees

Gerrit Cole’s performance has become a central concern for the Yankees as they near the season’s conclusion. While securing the division title remains a priority, getting him back to peak form is essential for the team’s playoff hopes.

The Yankees ace had been solid on the mound throughout the season until a recent game against the Red Sox, where a controversial decision to intentionally walk Rafael Devers — with no one on base and one out in the fourth inning while clinging to a 1-0 lead — derailed his momentum. 

Before his latest start, Gerrit Cole hadn’t pitched beyond the sixth inning in any of his 15 starts this year. His prior outing against Boston at Yankee Stadium had been particularly rough. After holding the Red Sox hitless through four innings, the intentional walk to Devers set off a downward spiral, leading to a season-high seven runs allowed by Gerrit Cole.

The decision to walk Devers became a flashpoint in sports media, putting Gerrit Cole under heavy scrutiny. However, the ace responded with a dominant performance against the Athletics, allowing just one run on two hits, striking out seven, and walking only one.

Gerrit Cole’s efficiency was apparent from the first pitch, with a six-pitch opening inning setting the pace for a deep outing. His ability to throw strikes early and keep the A’s batters off balance was key to his success.

Reflecting on his approach, Gerrit Cole credited his quick turnaround to the Athletics’ aggressive hitting and his own execution of quality pitches. His ability to bounce back from the earlier struggles demonstrated both his adaptability and determination, crucial traits as the Yankees eye the postseason.

“There were some balls that were hit hard, but they were well-located,” the Yankees ace explained. “We funneled the balls to our defenders; specifically, Gleyber [Torres] had a couple of tough chances. … We just converted all of the outs that we had an opportunity to convert.”

Gerrit Cole displayed impressive efficiency in his latest start, retiring the first nine batters on just 33 pitches before Lawrence Butler broke the streak with a single past Anthony Rizzo to lead off the fourth inning.

Gerrit Cole commented on his performance, acknowledging that while a few balls were hit hard, they were placed well enough to avoid trouble. He credited the team’s defense, singling out Gleyber Torres for his work on a series of tough plays, and praised the overall execution in converting outs.

“I didn’t fatigue tonight, which is a good sign,” he said. “I had more in the tank, which is also a good sign. That allowed us to execute pitches well into the night. I hadn’t pitched in the seventh, eighth or ninth yet. That felt really good, and so it was nice to see it come together.”

Catcher Austin Wells lauded Gerrit Cole’s pitch mix, noting how effectively he kept hitters off-balance throughout the game. Wells also emphasized the rarity of pitchers going nine innings in today’s game, calling the ace’s feat something special.

This outing was significant for Gerrit Cole, marking the first time this season he worked into the seventh inning. The pitcher even joked that he offered to continue pitching into the 10th if the game remained tied, though manager Aaron Boone quickly dismissed the idea.

Gerrit Cole expressed satisfaction with his endurance, saying he felt strong even in the later innings without fatigue, which he saw as a positive sign. Pitching deep into the game for the first time this year was a gratifying milestone for him.

The season has been a mix of highs and lows for Gerrit Cole, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Right elbow inflammation during Spring Training delayed his debut until June, complicating his preparation. Reflecting on the year, Gerrit Cole admitted there had been both standout performances and some starts that fell short of his expectations.

Gerrit Cole admitted he would have preferred more innings, stressing the importance of being in rhythm from the start of the season. Still, he expressed confidence in the team’s current standing and emphasized the need to maintain their positive trajectory.

However, Gerrit Cole’s shortened season may work in his favor, as the lighter workload could leave his arm in better shape compared to last year when he led the American League with 209 innings over 33 starts. This could pose a significant challenge for postseason opponents and give the Yankees a key advantage.

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