BALTIMORE -- Every pitcher wants to get ahead in the count. Gerrit Cole has never done it more than he did on Thursday.
Cole threw 22 of 23 first-pitch strikes (95.7 percent) over six strong innings, striking out eight to lead the Yankees to their fourth consecutive victory, a 6-1 win over the Orioles that completed a series sweep at Camden Yards.
“It’s great to get ahead,” Cole said. “I think sometimes we got ahead even out of the strike zone, which means I think we’re doing a good job being unpredictable.”
That 95.7% first-pitch strike rate was the highest of Cole’s career; his previous best was on April 25, 2017, while with the Pirates, when he threw 22 of 24 (91.7%). It’s also the highest by any Yankee since at least 2000 (minimum 20 batters faced), according to research by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
The idea that Cole is executing more efficiently than even the 26-year-old version of himself is an intriguing development, especially considering Thursday marked his 16th start since returning from Tommy John surgery.
It has been months since Cole, 35, expressed any concern about how things might feel with his repaired ulnar collateral ligament; he has likened his mindset to having a fresh set of tires for the second half of a road race, and he’s putting the hammer down.
“I was able to see it from afar from the other side for a while, so it’s been really fun picking his brain with things,” said Ryan Yarbrough, who tossed three scoreless innings for a save. “He’s been really great for us.”
Unlike in Cole’s most recent outing at Toronto, when he took a tough-luck loss, the Yankees provided plenty of support. José Caballero, Ben Rice and Heliot Ramos drove in runs to key a three-run third inning, while Luis García Jr. and Spencer Jones cracked sixth-inning homers.
“It’s awesome,” Jones said. “I’m rooting for those guys every time they’re out there. It’s just fun to be a part of and fun to contribute in the lineup.”
The Orioles never really got to Cole, who picked up a piece of pinstriped history. His eight strikeouts gave him 1,015 as a Yankee -- surpassing Roger Clemens (1,014) for 12th place on the franchise's all-time list.
“That’s the G.O.A.T.,” Cole said. “That’s a big-time name. A lot of people have been a part of it over the years, and so a lot of credit gets spread around.”
Reflecting upon what he admired about Clemens, Cole said: “I think his confidence, his demeanor and his business-like approach. He seems to be a very intense and focused guy, going about his business in a certain way. That sets a great example.”
More history is in Cole’s future after he picked up his 160th career victory. As first noted by Tyler Kepner of The Athletic, Cole is closing in on Mike Moore (161) for the most wins by a player selected first overall in the MLB Draft.
Cole has permitted two earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, dating back to July 28 against the White Sox. He has pitched to a 1.47 ERA (30 2/3 IP, 5 ER) over that span.
His outing could have tilted after a Pete Alonso single and a one-out walk to Gunnar Henderson in the opening frame, but Cole avoided damage, striking out Samuel Basallo and getting Christian Encarnacion-Strand to line out to third base.
That began a string of 11 consecutive batters retired by Cole, snapped by Dylan Beavers’ home run leading off the fifth. Cole tied Clemens’ mark with a swinging strikeout of Jackson Holliday in the sixth inning, then surpassed him by getting Basallo swinging for the second out of the sixth.
“Great way to finish a road trip,” manager Aaron Boone said.
As they continue to vie for playoff position, moving within four games of the American League East-leading Rays, the Yankees express confidence that Max Fried’s stint on the injured list will be short.
If that proves true, they’ll have arguably the Majors’ most formidable rotation in postseason play -- lining up Cole, Fried, Cam Schlittler and Carlos Rodón in some order. Asked to rate his confidence level, Cole replied: “High.”
“We’re commanding the ball well and making good decisions, by and large,” he said.