TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole said his first start in a preseason game exceeded his expectations.
Cole allowed four runs on four hits, struck out five and walked one in just over two innings of New York’s 7-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
The right-hander gave up home runs to Diego Castillo and Cole Tucker.
“Well, I think the job was pretty good,” Cole said. “When we make good pitches, we have good results. I think the strikes on first pitches were pretty low and there were a lot of counts where I was behind more than I would have wanted for today.”
Cole, who had previously played a couple of simulated games, threw 29 of 50 pitches for strikes. The starter in charge of the season opener against the Boston Red Sox on April 7 will have one more preseason performance.
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Josh Donaldson went down the fairway and the ball sailed over the left-field marker.
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“I liked what I saw,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I was really pleased with his display, the quality of his fastball. He didn’t have the exact pitch for strikes or the exact control that he will have. I think his acting was uniform. He had a tough job but I think it was a good day for him”.
Last season, Cole went 16-8 with a 3.23 ERA in 30 starts, but took the loss by allowing three runs in just over two innings as the team lost 6-2 to the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild card game.
He slowed down late due to a left hamstring injury.
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