Gerrit Cole returns to his ace form as the Yankees smash the Guardians for a sweep


This looked more like what the Yankees expected in 2022, both from Gerrit Cole and his offense.

For the first time this season, Cole looked like the pitcher the Yankees are paying him to be and his offense provided plenty of support in return as the Yankees beat the Guardians 10-2 to clinch the three-game sweep on Sunday night. afternoon in the Bronx.

Cole received a standing ovation as he walked off the mound after pitching 6 ²/₃ scoreless innings and Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu and even Tim Locastro hit two-run homers apiece in a rare chance to breathe for the Yankees (10-6). ).

Before Sunday, 13 of his first 15 games had been decided by three runs or fewer, the most in the majors. Their biggest win of the season had been just 4-0 over the Blue Jays. But on Sunday, the Guardians (7-8) served as fodder for a team that needed a laugh.

Gerrit Cole throws during the Yankees' victory over the Guardians on Sunday.
Gerrit Cole throws during the Yankees’ victory over the Guardians on Sunday.
Roberto Sabo

The Yankees’ 10 runs and 13 hits were season highs, with LeMahieu’s three-hit day leading the way.

They started early, with Aaron Judge drilling a one-out double in the first inning and Rizzo following it up with his fifth home run of the season to put the Yankees up 2-0.

When Cole got Oscar Mercado out into foul territory to end the second inning, it was the first time this season that he went two scoreless frames to start a game. He had lasted just 1 ½ / ₃ ⅔ innings in his last start on Tuesday at Detroit and had generally allowed eight runs in 11 ¹ / ₃ innings in his first three starts.

DJ LeMahieu (26) celebrates his two-run home run with Aaron Judge (99) during the Yankees' victory over the Guardians on Sunday.
DJ LeMahieu (26) celebrates his two-run home run with Aaron Judge (99) during the Yankees’ victory over the Guardians on Sunday.
Roberto Sabo

A poor play by Mercado in the second inning allowed the Yankees to increase their lead. The Guardians right fielder got past LeMahieu’s line drive and hit him in the glove, allowing Isiah Kiner-Falefa to score from first to make it 3-0.

The Yankees racked up three more runs in the third, thanks in part to another defensive error by the Guardians. With the bases loaded and no outs, Aaron Hicks dodged a shallow jumper to center field that Myles Straw and second baseman Andres Gimenez dropped between them. Straw was able to get the power out at second base, but Rizzo scored from third.

Joey Gallo then came with his long-awaited first extra-base hit and RBI of the season, in his 53rd plate appearance, when he doubled to right field to make it 5-0. Gallo had gone 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position to start the year.

Anthony Rizzo jogs around the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning of the Yankees' victory over the Guardians on Sunday.
Anthony Rizzo jogs around the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning of the Yankees’ victory over the Guardians on Sunday.
Roberto Sabo

Kiner-Falefa capped the rally with a sacrifice fly, giving the Yankees a 6-0 lead.

LeMahieu added a two-run homer in the sixth inning and Locastro delivered his in the eighth while pinch-hitting for Judge.

The Guardians’ only runs came in the ninth off Ron Marinaccio, who was pitching for the first time in 13 days.



Reference-nypost.com

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