Gerrit Cole’s season got off to a frustrating start on Friday, and that was before he even threw a pitch.
But even after waiting for Billy Crystal to get off his mound, executing a four-pitch walk to start the game and then giving up three runs in the first inning, Cole settled down to give the Yankees a chance give to eventually beat the Red Sox. 6-5, in 11 innings on Opening Day in the Bronx.
Still not fully built due to a shortened spring practice, Cole only pitched four innings while starting his third straight opening day in pinstripes, but a tough first inning didn’t let the Yankees go down.
“Just difficult to adjust to,” said Cole. “Of course, the first four pitches weren’t really competitive. Then I burned myself in some pretty good fastball locations in the first one. They put some good swings on it. Luckily we were able to settle in after that and give ourselves a chance to win.”
Billy Crystal throws out the first throw.Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
With the pomp and circumstance of opening day ending with Crystal throwing the ceremonial first pitch, play began four minutes later than originally scheduled. Cole was shown on camera visibly upset that the pre-game scene was slipping into his routine, apparently shouting “Let’s f–king go!” while standing on the top step of the dugout.
“It was an unforeseen challenge,” said Cole. “The celebrations are a bit off schedule.
“It’s like you expect something and then don’t get it.”
Cole eventually took the mound and led Kiké Hernandez four fields, then gave down a two-run home run to Rafael Devers with a 99 mph fastball at the top of the zone.
Xander Bogaerts then rappeled a single and came around to score with a double that was sprayed onto opposite field by JD Martinez. That made it 3-0 Red Sox as boos rained down on Cole before he recorded an out and flashbacks to the last time he faced Boston in the wild card game at Fenway Park last October.
Gerrit Cole reacts during his rough first innings. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
But Cole settled from there, pulling back 11 of the next 13 batters he faced to take him to 68 pitches through the fourth inning. Cole, who had 64 pitches in his last spring start, knocked out three, walked one and gave up four hits.
“Obviously a very difficult start to the season,” said manager Aaron Boone. “But I think he embodied who we were today. He didn’t fold the tent. Couldn’t have gotten out of the first inning [game]how things were going and he made himself comfortable and started taking pitches. I felt he pitched really well the rest of the way.”