{"id":687771,"date":"2026-05-23T03:48:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T03:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/687771\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T03:48:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T03:48:22","slug":"gerrit-cole-shuts-down-rays-in-6-inning-season-debut-but-yankees-blow-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/687771\/","title":{"rendered":"Gerrit Cole shuts down Rays in 6-inning season debut … but Yankees blow it"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gerrit Cole<\/a>‘s long-awaited return fell short of spectacular, but was the solid shot in the arm the New York Yankees<\/a> badly needed.<\/p>\n

Pitching for the first time since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, Cole pitched six shutout innings against the first place Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> Friday, May 22 at Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n

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Unfortunately for the Yankees, the bullpen collapsed two innings later and the Rays held on for a 4-2 victory, pushing their AL East lead to 5\u00bd games.<\/p>\n

Cole missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, his right elbow finally giving way during spring training. He underwent a steady and successful rehab since, and rejoined the Yankees after they jumped out to a 30-21 start \u2212 but still looking up at the Rays.<\/p>\n

\"Gerrit<\/p>\n

Gerrit Cole pitched six shutout innings in his 2026 season debut against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n

Amid that backdrop, he took the Yankee Stadium mound and delivered efficiency, giving up just two hits in six innings, but walking three and striking out just two. Yet he finished striking, fanning Jonathan Aranda<\/a> looking on a full-count 96-mph fastball.<\/p>\n

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Thanks to an Austin Wells<\/a> home run, Cole left with a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n

Cole, who won the 2023 AL Cy Young Award, is in the seventh year of a nine-year, $324 million contract.<\/p>\n

Yankees bullpen blows lead<\/p>\n

Alas, the Yankees bullpen could only preserve the advantage provided by Wells and Cole for one inning. Shortstop Jos\u00e9 Caballero<\/a> committed an error on a grounder by leadoff batter Chandler Simpson<\/a>, and after a Junior Caminero<\/a> single, Aranda followed with a game-tying double off lefty Tim Hill<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Richie Palacios<\/a> then followed an intentional walk with a go-ahead two-run single, producing a 3-1 lead and chasing Hill. Tampa Bay<\/a> took a 4-2 lead into the ninth.<\/p>\n

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Aaron Judge just misses game-tying homer<\/p>\n

Rays closer Bryan Baker<\/a> yielded a one-out walk to Austin Wells and with two outs, the struggling Aaron Judge had a chance to tie the game. And he drove a Baker fastball 396 feet to left center field \u2212 but it was hauled in by Cedric Mullins<\/a> to end the game.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.<\/p>\n

(David Richard, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day<\/a> during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Benny Sieu, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder’s hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.<\/p>\n

(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays’ Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.<\/p>\n

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.<\/p>\n

(David Dermer, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.<\/p>\n

(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut<\/a> in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox’s home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season (Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Denis Poroy, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

The Toronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

The Cincinnati Reds’ Eugenio Su\u00e1rez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

The St. Louis Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

20 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Jovanny Hernandez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)\"\"<\/p>\n

21 \/ 21<\/p>\n

Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season<\/p>\n

Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day<\/a> game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news \u2014 fast.\u00a0Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How did Gerrit Cole do in 2026 Yankees debut? Stats from return<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Gerrit Cole‘s long-awaited return fell short of spectacular, but was the solid shot in the arm the New…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":687772,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[435],"tags":[193051,465,66322,18216,49,48,4016,19168,17949,476,14925,3989,462,3980,63563,251778,82,28240,480,75065,97414],"class_list":["post-687771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-2024-world-series","tag-aaron-judge","tag-austin-wells","tag-bryan-baker","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-cedric-mullins","tag-chandler-simpson","tag-gerrit-cole","tag-jonathan-aranda","tag-jose-caballero","tag-junior-caminero","tag-mlb","tag-new-york-yankees","tag-richie-palacios","tag-shutout-innings","tag-sports","tag-tampa-bay","tag-tampa-bay-rays","tag-tim-hill","tag-yankee-stadium"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=687771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687771\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/687772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=687771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=687771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=687771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}