The New York Yankees picked up win No. 50 on Monday night as they defeated their AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays, by a final of 4-2.
At the center of the Yanks’ big win was another dominant start out of staff ace Gerrit Cole.
Cole, the Yankees’ big money pitcher, who signed a nine-year, $324 million contract in 2019, went out and nearly pitched a no-hitter.
Cole lost his no-hitter in the bottom of the eighth on a base-hit by Isaac Paredes.
He was pulled after retiring Josh Lowe on a flyout.
The Yankees lost their lead but came back in the ninth to regain the lead and hold on for the win.
After the game, Aaron Judge shared his thoughts on Cole’s performance and what the right-hander’s future holds, as seen in the tweet below.
Judge clearly likes what he saw out of Cole, so much so that he thinks it’s going to happen again, with Cole actually finishing off the no-hitter.
Aaron Judge on Gerrit Cole: "He’s going to get (a no-hitter) here soon. Hopefully I’m playing center when he does.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) June 21, 2022
Judge’s Vision
This is a bold prediction and some high praise from one of the best hitters in the business.
Cole went out there and gave the Yankees everything he had, only allowing one hit.
Judge’s prediction is certainly not a bad one after the way Cole pitched last night against the Rays.
But there’s one thing he hopes happens when Cole finally does throw that elusive no-hitter.
Judge wants to be in center field just as he was last night.
We’ll see if his prediction and his wish ultimately come true.
Cole will be extra motivated when he pitches next after getting so close to a no-no.
As Judge predicted, it’s probably only a matter of time before Cole gets the job done.
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