TORONTO – Gerrit Cole rebounded impressively from a recent rough patch, delivering a commanding performance as the New York Yankees secured an 8-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. The resilient showing by Cole helped silence concerns over his form following his return from the injured list.
On the mound at Rogers Centre, with a crowd of 38,534 spectators, Cole’s fastball velocity was a stark contrast to his previous game, where he had experienced a worryingly low pitch speed. This time around, he consistently threw in the mid-90s, even touching 98 mph, over his five innings on the pitcher’s mound.
During Sunday’s game, Cole allowed a mere one run and three hits while earning seven strikeouts, a significant improvement from his tumultuous outing against the Mets. The difficulty in his prior game had seen him yield six runs and seven hits, including four home runs.
The Yankees enhanced their record to 54-32, regaining some momentum after a challenging stretch where they had lost eight of their last ten games. As they prepare for a six-game homestand starting Tuesday night against the Reds, the Yankees welcomed back Juan Soto who had missed a game due to a bruised right hand.
Offensively, the Yankees were spurred by Aaron Judge who hit his MLB-leading 31st homer of the season. The team amassed a total of 12 hits, with contributions from key players such as Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, and Trent Grisham, each recording multiple hits.
From the very first inning, the Yankees set a powerful tone for the game. Just minutes before the game began, Juan Soto was added to the lineup and swiftly made an impact, hitting a single. Shortly thereafter, Judge followed up with a substantial 424-foot homer to center field.
Throughout the game, the Yankees capitalized on their opportunities, extending their lead gradually. In the second inning, strategic hits and a bases-loaded walk brought the score to 4-0.
Cole faced challenges from Toronto’s lineup, including from the red-hot Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Kevin Kiermaier. Guerrero, who had been exceptional in the series, was inadvertently hit by a pitch, leading to a pause in the action. In a display of sportsmanship, Cole and Guerrero exchanged nods acknowledging the unintentional nature of the incidence.
As the game progressed into the fifth inning, the Yankees continued to press their advantage, bolstering their lead to 7-1. Noteworthy was a two-run double from Grisham after a pitching change from the Blue Jays. Adding to Toronto’s woes, rookie Ben Rice doubled to drive in another run, concluding the scoring.
The fifth saw the Yankees orchestrating a three-run play, highlighted by LeMahieu’s RBI double and Grisham’s two-run double, demonstrating their ability to exploit openings. With the victory firmly secured, the team is looking ahead with renewed confidence and a bolstered lineup.
As the Yankees continue their season, the resurgence of Gerrit Cole adds a promising dimension to their campaign, underscoring a return to form that could be pivotal in their pursuit of postseason glory. As evidenced by today’s game, in baseball, resilience and timely hits do much to turn the tide, a lesson the Yankees put on full display in Toronto.