New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took his no-hitter bid into the 8th inning as the Yankees defeated the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in Tampa on Monday night to collect their 50th win of the season.
Cole’s bid was the longest of his career and helped fuel the Yankees, easily the hottest team in the majors, to a season-high-tying 33 games over .500, with a 50-17 record, matching their historic 1998 team for the third-best 67-game start in franchise history.
“I thought I had good stuff. I’ve never thrown a no-hitter so I can’t tell you what no-hit stuff looks like,” Cole said following the game, according to ESPN’s Marly Rivera. “I’ve had a few good nights before. Honestly, in this situation, I’m just glad we got the win.”
Cole ended up striking out 12 batters, a season high and the sixth career game with 12 strikeouts for the Yankees, which sees Cole join Al Downing (10) as the only other pitcher in franchise history with as many 12-strikeout performances.
“His slider was special early and then he just got in a rhythm there. He was dominant,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, while also crediting catcher Jose Trevino. “I thought his fastball was great, but the slider seemed to be really good tonight. The slider was at a different level. They made him work a little bit so the pitch count was getting up there and I think he was gassed by the end, but I thought he was dominant tonight.”
“The way he prepares, the way he comes out, the way he just performs, toes the rubber and gets after it, it’s impressive. Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve been nothing but impressed with him,” Trevino said of Cole
Following a start to his career in pinstripes in which he struggled against the Rays, posting a 5r.05 ERA in seven starts since joining the Yankees in 2020, Cole has posted a 0.93 ERA in three starts against Tamp Bay this season.
“His numbers are pretty crazy. Just the advanced stats number his third time through are still really good for him. I think he’ll get it one day. He was close tonight,” Yankees reliever Clay Holmes said. “Hate that we gave up a run to get him off the hook there for a win, but he definitely deserved a bit accomplishment for what he did tonight.”
