Yankees' Bats Squander Gerrit Cole's Historic Start, Drop Fifth Straight

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole had a historic performance but the Yankees lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, extending their losing streak to five games

Max Goodman | Apr 18, 2021

After allowing a one-out single in the seventh inning of a tied game on Sunday, Gerrit Cole motioned toward the Yankees dugout.

It was a subtle move, sticking his palm behind his back, as if to say to manager Aaron Boone, stay where you are, I'm not coming out of this game just yet.

Three pitches later, Cole surrendered a go-ahead double off the bat of Rays designated hitter Yoshi Tsutsugo.

Chad Green was immediately summoned from New York's bullpen and while the right-hander stomped out Tampa Bay's rally, the damage had already been done. Nine outs later, the Yankees dropped their fifth straight game, losing 3-2.

The end result certainly wasn't what Cole wanted—the Yankees' eighth loss in their last 10 games—but the right-hander was impressive in his fourth start of the season. Cole allowed just two earned runs, striking out 10 and giving up only five hits.

With his 10 strikeouts, Cole pushed his total on the season to 39, setting a new franchise record for the most punch outs by any Yankees pitcher through their first four starts of a season.

On offense, New York managed just three hits on Sunday afternoon. A solo home run from Giancarlo Stanton and RBI single from DJ LeMahieu kept them in striking distance, but the bats were silent when it mattered most, going hitless in the final four frames.

In their three-game sweep at the hands of the Rays, New York had just 11 base hits as their season-long offensive woes continue.

The Yankees have an off day on Monday before hosting a two-game set against the Atlanta Braves. Then, New York hits the road for four games in Cleveland and another four in Baltimore.

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Published Apr 18, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.