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He Yankees began their three-game series against the Texas Rangers with an 8-4 victory in Monday’s opener.
Takeaway food
1. New York had a close start to the season thanks to its ace, Gerrit Colewhen he needed it. Before exiting during seventh-inning warmups with right calf cramps, Cole struck out nine and walked one while limiting Texas (66-72) to one run on four hits in six innings.
His only blemish came on a 2-2 count with two outs in the third inning when the former Yankees prospect Josh Smith‘s RBI double to left center field scored Marcus Semien from first base and cut New York’s lead to 2-1. Still, Cole took an early 2-0 lead from the top half of the inning and drove in 56 strikes on 82 pitches.
Ultimately, Cole (6-3, 3.65 ERA) was exactly what the Yankees pay him to be in a bounce-back game. Fortunately for New York, while you never want to see your $324 million man wave down the trainers on the mound and pull him out, he seems to be doing fine — the team says it will monitor his status on Tuesday.
2. Have a day, Gleyber TorresRiding a four-game hitting streak and his first three-hit performance in more than a month (the previous instance was July 26 against the Boston Red Sox), Torres gave Cole everything he needed.
With one out and two on base in the third inning after consecutive singles by Antonio Volpe and Alex VerdugoTorres tied up Jack LeiterThe Yankees’ 3-2 slider found its way into the gap in left-center field for a two-RBI double that gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead and plenty of comfort for Cole. The Yankees created more separation in the final four innings, including Judge AaronThe Yankees’ RBI double in the sixth inning with no outs and a 2-1 count scored Torres, but Torres put New York ahead before Cole kept it that way.
3. There have only been two games, but Antonio Rizzo He’s looked promising since being activated from the 60-day disabled list Sunday with a fractured right forearm that originated in June. He followed up his debut Sunday with a 2-for-4 effort with one RBI in the Yankees’ 14-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals with a few more runs Monday.
Rizzo’s two-run double with one out and the bases loaded in the seventh inning turned a potential save situation into a five-run deficit. More importantly, it demonstrated Rizzo’s ability to be a factor New York needs down the stretch in September and October.
4. For the third straight series, the Yankees took Game 1. Now, can they finally tackle the remaining games against an opponent with a sub-.500 record and win their first series since Aug. 24-26 against the Colorado Rockies?
New York (80-58) holds a half-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles (80-59) for first place in the American League East. It’s time for the Yankees to build on their ace’s performance and get serious as they delve into a six-game road trip.
Who is the MVP?
Cole, who set the tone for the Yankees and flirted with double-digit strikeouts.
Highlights
What’s next?
The Yankees and Rangers continue their three-game series with Tuesday’s matchup at 8:05 p.m.
Left-handed Carlos Rodon (14-9, 4.31 ERA) and Andrew Heaney (4-13, 3.95 ERA) are ready to go.