Gerrit Cole demonstrated to the Yankees that he is ready for the crucial games ahead. Nathan Eovaldi was left the Red Sox with only worries.
Cole was able to take a two-hit shutout into sixth inning, leading the Yankees to an eight-three victory Friday night. This snapped Boston’s seven-game winning streak, and pulled New York within one point of the Red Sox in standings.
He’s a great pitcher. He is our ace. Aaron Boone, Yankees manager, said that he’s a horse. “There are very few people that you would rather give the ball to,” Boone said.
Fenway Park was sold out for the third time this year. Boston was wearing its lucky yellow jerseys. Cole (16-8) did not hit the Red Sox for three innings. New York won its fourth consecutive win.
Eovaldi (10-9), barely made it through the first inning, and couldn’t make it to the third.
Alex Cora, Red Sox manager, said that “the good ones have the bad ones,” adding that his team is currently holding the highest American League wildcard.
Giancarlo Stanton had three hits for the Yankees. He also hit a three-run homer for them. They are currently one game behind and in contention for the second wildcard. New York is two games behind Seattle and Toronto.
If the Blue Jays, or Seattle or Oakland can catch one of them in the Blue Jays, the Red Sox or Yankees will meet in a one game playoff Oct. 5, for the right to advance into an AL Division Series.
The winner-takes-all matchup could be hosted by the player who finishes the best in the eight previous games. This weekend in Boston could have some interesting words to say about it.
“I still haven’t reached the point where it’s something I really think about.” Cole said that he still has a lot of work to do. He noted that he had played in three wild card games and witnessed the home team lose two. “Regardless of what it’s here, Toronto or New York, we’re going have to play really great baseball, regardless who cheers for us.”
Cole bounced back from his worst start of season and allowed three runs on five hits, three walks and struck out six.
Gleyber Torres had three hits, including a homer, for the Yankees. They opened the season with seven consecutive losses to their AL East archrivals. However, they have since beat them seven times out of ten.
J.D. Martinez ended Cole’s no-hit bid by hitting a double down right field with two outs in the fourth. Rafael Devers broke up the shutout in the sixth with a three-run homer that made it 7-3.
Torres opened the seventh with a flyball to straightaway center. A fan in the front row of bleachers knocked it back onto the field. It was initially unclear if it was a homerun, but the umpires eventually confirmed it.
Kike Hernandez and Jose Iglesias singled Yankees reliever Clay Holmes to the plate with two outs in the seventh, before Wandy Peralta struckout pinch-hitter Bobby Dalbec for Boston’s last major threat.
ACE IN THE HOLLE
Eovaldi was mentioned as a potential No. 1 starter, despite Chris Sale’s seven starts since his Tommy John surgery. Eovaldi was named as the No. 1 starter in Boston’s playoff run. He allowed seven runs on seven hits, and two walks over 2 1/3 innings.
The Yankees’ first three batters reached base and scored against Eovaldi. Aaron Judge scored two runs, and was third on Stanton’s RBI groundout. Torres scored with a two-out single.
Stanton scored his 32nd homer in third. After giving up Joey Gallo’s single and walking Brett Gardner, Eovaldi was replaced by Hirokazu Sawamura. Kyle Higashioka popped the ball up and Hirokazu Sawamura got Kyle Higashioka. But first baseman Kyle Schwarber dropped it for a run-scoring double that made it 7-0.
TRAINER’S ROHROOM
Yankees: RHP Jimon Taillon (ankle), is on the team for the road trip. Boone stated that there is a good chance that Taillon will return for one of the games against Toronto next Wednesday. Since Sept. 6, he has not pitched.
Red Sox: Reintroduced OF Jarren Duran, and INF Jonathan Arauz, from the COVID-19 injured list, and optioned them both to Triple-A Worcester. RHPs Yacksel Rios and Geoff Hartlieb were designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
UP NEXT
Yankees LHP Nestor (2-2, 2.79 ERA), has struck out 30, walked six and walked 22/3 innings in four starts. Red Sox righty Nick Pivetta (9-7 and 4.63) will be his opponent. Pivetta is winless in five previous starts and has allowed four runs against the Yankees in 1 1/3 innings on Aug. 18.
