Gerrit Cole entered Friday night as the frontrunner for the AL Cy Young award and left with the same status. The right-hander toed the mound where it all started in Pittsburgh during the Yanks’ 7-5 win over the Pirates.
Cole tossed five innings allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four. The 33-year-old bent but didn’t break as he didn’t have his best stuff, however, he did just enough to remain in front for the elusive Cy Young award.
Former Yankee and now star Twins’ right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray (2.96 ERA) and Mariners’ Luis Castillo (3.08 ERA) are Cole’s competition to capture his first career Cy Young and with just a few starts to go, the Yankees’ starter is in prime position to take home the award.
There was a very scary moment on the field during Friday’s game. Reliever Anthony Misiewicz was carted off of the field after being hit by a comebacker. Misiewicz appeared ok as he headed off, however, there was blood on his head.
Despite the events, there was still a game to be played the Yankees pulled off an interesting comeback. Entering the top of the ninth trailing by two, the Bombers loaded the bases with nobody out trailing by just one — after an Estevan Florial bases-loaded walk — for Giancarlo Stanton.
Stanton fouled out to foul territory and in stepped Anthony Volpe. The shortstop rolled over a tailor-made double play ball that was thrown away by second basemen Ji Hwan Bae allowing two runs to score giving the Yanks the lead. Oswald Cabrera added an insurance RBI single giving the Bombers a 7-5. Clay Holmes secured the victory in the ninth.
Aaron Boone’s club will look to grab the series victory on Saturday night. Neither team has announced a starter.
