Cole and the Yankees defeated the Indians, 12-3, in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series on Tuesday evening at Progressive Field. Cole loved the stakes of a heavyweight pitching matchup, he bested Shane Bieber, the American League’s likely Cy Young Award winner.
Mixing his four-pitch arsenal with aplomb, the 30-year-old right-hander struck out 13, the most by a pitcher in his Yankees playoff debut. Cole walked none and became the first Major Leaguer to record three postseason games of 12 or more strikeouts.
Only Roger Clemens has fanned more batters in a Yankees postseason start, “The Rocket” having registered 15 strikeouts in Game 4 of the 2000 AL Championship Series against the Mariners. Cole joined Tom Seaver (1973) as the only pitchers to strike out 13 or more in a postseason start without a walk. Cole’s impressive playoff debut night ended with 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER,0 BB, 13 SO,1 HR.
Yankees hit 4 Home Runs for the night, Judge gave early lead to visitors with a first-pitch 2-Run Home Run in the top of the first. Gleyber Torres hit 2-run Home Run in top of the 5th innings to give Yankees 7-2 lead.
Brett Gardner hit another 2 run Home run for Yankees, lead extended to 11-2 before Giancarlo Stanton’s 9th inning solo homer makes it dozen runs for the night.
Shane Robert Bieber had forgettable outing for Indians, he pitched only 4.2 innings, allowed 9 hits , 7 Runs ,walked 2 and struck out 7. 2020 Cy Young award front runner picked up first loss of the post-season.
Josh Naylor is the only bright sport for Indians, he went 4 for 4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI. The Canadian took Cole deep in the bottom of 4th innings to hit only home run for Indians.
American League Wild Card Games: Yankees vs Indians Game 1 Highlights
Second Game of the 3 game series will be played on Wednesday at Progressive Field, Cleveland needs to win the ball game to continue in the playoffs.
