New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole made MLB history in Friday night's 9-2 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The 36-year-old earned his 162nd career victory, moving past Mike Moore's 161 wins for the most ever by a pitcher who was selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft. Cole was chosen first by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011, while Moore went to the Seattle Mariners with the top selection in 1981. David Price is next on the list, ranking third with 157 career wins.
The milestone came as Cole bounced back after allowing seven home runs across his previous two starts, the highest two-game figure of his career. He also had surrendered leadoff home runs in each of those outings.
After working on his delivery and potential pitch-tipping issues since his previous start against the New York Mets, Cole retired Arizona in order during a 12-pitch opening inning. Corbin Carroll later hit a two-run homer on a four-seam fastball that missed its location, but Cole gave up nothing else to the Diamondbacks.
The right-hander completed six innings, allowing two runs and four hits while issuing no walks and striking out six. He threw 90 pitches, with 62 going for strikes, finishing with a 9-9 record.
Article Continues BelowNew York provided Cole with plenty of early support, sending its first five hitters to base against Eduardo Rodriguez during a five-run opening inning. Ben Rice drew a bases-loaded walk, Amed Rosario delivered an RBI single and George Lombard Jr. added a two-run single.
Rice later launched his 39th homer of the season in the third inning, while Lombard hit his own solo shot in the sixth and finished with three RBIs.
The Yankees improved to 89-64 and moved within four games of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East with nine games remaining. New York had already secured a postseason berth and has now won 11 of its last 15 games.
Manager Aaron Boone also confirmed that Cole should receive a start if the Yankees reach the American League Wild Card Series.