The New York Yankees faced off against the Washington Nationals on Thursday evening, following months of MLB shut-down. Baseball returned the past few weeks minimally, allowing teams to gear up for a revised 60-game regular season.
The Yankees and Nationals were put in a primetime baseball slot, featuring Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer on the mound. This pitching duel was highly anticipated, considering Washington pummeled cole in his last start before they evidently won the World Series.
However, Thursday’s game was rained out after five complete innings. Baseball requirements confirm that this, in fact, was an official game, so the Yankees walked away with a 4-1 victory in the opener.
Let’s take a look at one winner and one loser for the New York Yankees in the win:
LOSER: Brett Gardner
While Gardner held his own in left field, he struck out three times against Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young Award winner had a stellar 2019 campaign, posting a 2.92 ERA with 243 strikeouts. He ranked third in Cy Young voting and 22nd in MVP voting. Gardner certainly isn’t to blame for his lack of production offensively, considering the talent he was facing off against. However, following his best performance in the home run and RBI categories last season, it was a bit disappointing to see him go down three consecutive times.
While it was only one game, it undoubtedly wasn’t the start Brett anticipated having in 2020.
WINNER: Tyler Wade/Gerrit Cole
The New York Yankees had two winners from the victory over Washington. The first was Tyler Wade, who had one hit and a walk. His hit, however, was a perfectly placed bunt to the second baseman, who fumbled the ball and was unable to make the play.
Wade evidently scored on an Aaron Judge double that shortly followed, making it to home all the way from first base. He also made an impressive catch at second base to prove his worth as he supplemented DJ LeMahieu.
We have to give credit where it’s due, and Gerrit Cole stepped up to the plate in his first game in pinstripes, pun intended. Over five innings, he allowed one hit and one run, which was a homer in the first inning. After his tough start, he struck out five batters over 75 pitches.
Considering the circumstances and it being his Yankee debut, the jitters were certainly bothering Cole. Nonetheless, he put together a solid performance in the Yankees’ win.