It seems like a long time ago that the New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a record-breaking nine year, $324 million contract back in December. Cole, who always wanted to pitch for the Yankees, finally got his chance to prove his worth after a more than three-month delay to the start of the season.
Cole pitched five great innings, striking out five and letting up only one hit, a solo homerun to Adam Eaton in the first inning. Other than that, he kept the National hitters in check, and at one point retired 10 Nats in a row. Cole said he expected to go at least two more innings but the game was delayed in the top of the sixth due to heavy rain, and was called after a 1 hour 58 minute rain delay.
Giancarlo Stanton got the Yankees ahead 2-0 in the first with a mammoth two-run shot, the first homerun of 2020. Aaron Judge added two hits and an RBI as New York beat the defending champs 4-1.
Max Scherzer pitched for the Nationals, and despite striking out 11 in 5 1/3 innings, he took the loss. The game featured two of the best pitchers in baseball, and everyone was excited to get the 2020 season underway.
