Cole makes Yankees history in dominant outing vs. Tigers
Gerrit Cole is doing everything he can to help the New York Yankees win and also making franchise history in the process.
The right-hander became the first Yankees pitcher to record double-digit strikeouts without allowing a walk in three consecutive outings over any span, according to Katie Sharp of Stathead.
The record-setting start came on Friday against the Detroit Tigers when Cole punched out 12 without issuing a free pass over six shutout frames.
Here's how the three starts line up:
| Date | Opp. | K | BB | IP | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr. 30 | DET | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Apr. 24 | CLE | 11 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Apr. 18 | TB | 10 | 0 | 6.1 | 2 |
In total, Cole has 62 strikeouts to three walks through six starts this season. The 30-year-old now owns a 1.43 ERA and 0.46 FIP over 37 2/3 innings.
.@GerritCole45 this season: 62 Ks, 3 BB. 💪 pic.twitter.com/PRMq2TFfO0
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2021
There have been three other times in league history that a player has managed to strike out 10 or more without allowing a walk over three straight starts. Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw accomplished the feat in 2015 and 2016, while Chris Archer managed it in 2015 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Cole is in the second season of his nine-year, $324-million megadeal signed with the Yankees before the 2020 campaign.
The three-time All-Star led the American League with a 2.50 ERA and 2.64 FIP in 2019 but ultimately finished as the runner-up to his Houston Astros teammate Justin Verlander for Cy Young honors.