Yankees’ Gerrit Cole Shines in July
CHICAGO — With the arrival of July, Gerrit Cole embraced a new beginning after a tumultuous June.
The Yankees’ veteran right-hander is pitching confidently as August approaches.
Cole wrapped up a successful July on Tuesday, guiding the Yankees to a shutout win over the White Sox with six solid innings on the mound.
Following Cole’s performance, Angel Chivili and Brent Headrick helped maintain the shutout. However, in the 9th inning, David Bednar faced a little drama, allowing a two-run homer to Chase Meidross before closing out the game. This marked Bednar’s first run given up since May 18, halting a remarkable scoreless streak of 21 games, but he managed to secure the win for the Yankees (55-51).
Despite some injuries and mixed offensive performance, the Yankees (now 61-46) have won 11 out of their last 15 games and stand just 1.5 games behind the AL East-leading Rays as the trade deadline nears.
After an explosive offensive game the night before, the Yankees provided Cole with crucial support, scoring three runs in the second inning. Anthony Volpe and Max Schumann both contributed with doubles that drove in runs.
Following a 6.12 ERA in five June games, Cole improved to a 2.97 ERA in July, appearing much closer to his former self as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery.
Cole’s strong sixth inning performance was especially important since the team’s previous starters, Max Fried and Will Warren, managed just six innings combined, placing extra pressure on the bullpen.
He ended the sixth with his seventh strikeout, delivering a 99th pitch fastball clocked at 97 mph that struck out Braden Montgomery.
The Yankees kicked off the second inning with back-to-back singles from Jason Dominguez and Trent Grisham against White Sox pitcher Anthony Kaye. Volpe was next up, nearly hitting a three-run shot to left-center; the center fielder almost made a spectacular catch but ended up with an RBI double instead for a 1-0 lead.
After one out, Schumann replaced Cody Bellinger in left field (a position Bellinger has started in for three consecutive games against left-handed pitchers) and delivered a two-run double, extending the lead to 3-0.
Cole, having just been given the lead, made a highlight-reel catch on a pop-up in front of the mound in the second inning. Catcher Austin Wells tried to catch it but ended up tossing it to Cole instead. Cole deftly caught the ball with his bare hand while retreating to the mound.
With a playful gesture, Cole called out Wells for interference afterward, adding a bit of humor to the situation.
The White Sox struggled early in the game, only managing to get a runner on first until the third inning. However, the fourth inning proved challenging for Cole. He threw first-pitch strikes to five of the six batters he faced, including a double by leadoff man Munetaka Murakami and a subsequent walk to Miguel Vargas.
While he managed to retire the next two batters, a full-count walk to Montgomery loaded the bases, leading to a mound visit from pitching coach Matt Blake.
Nevertheless, Cole fought back and got Peters to pop out, leaving all three runners stranded on the final pitch of the inning.
