Cole fumes after Manoah plunks Judge
It sounds as if the Yankees and Blue Jays aces may have something to discuss when the two teams meet in Toronto at the end of September.
After Alek Manoah hit Aaron Judge with a 92-mph fastball in the fifth inning of Sunday’s 4-2 Yankees victory, Gerrit Cole was one of the Yankees to react aggressively, hopping over the dugout railing as both benches bled onto the dirt. Judge played peacemaker, motioning to his teammates to calm down as a brawl was avoided.
After the game, Cole said he didn’t know if there was intent on Manoah’s behalf with first base open, but he was tired of Yankees hitters getting dusted.
“Just a little one too many [batters hit by pitch] for my taste,” Cole said. “I don’t know what to say.”
Manoah, who exchanged words with Judge after hitting him, said he merely lost command and told the Yankees’ star that. He did offer a challenge to Cole.
“If Gerrit wants to do something, he can walk past the Audi sign next time,” Manoah said, referring to the luxury car brand logo sprayed on the grass by the home dugout at the Stadium.
Judge, meanwhile, downplayed the incident. His focus was moving on and securing a victory.
“At first you’re pissed, and I was pissed, but I didn’t need anybody else getting thrown out for me getting hit,” he said. “I know [Anthony] Rizzo had a big at-bat behind me. I’d be a little happier with getting a couple of runs instead of us brawling out there.”
In April, Manoah exchanged words from the dugout with Luis Severino after Severino hit Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with a fastball. This time, it was Cole sticking up for his teammate.
“Aaron got hit and we’ve been dusted several times,” Cole said. “I guess I was just on one today.”