Gerrit Cole threw a complete-game shutout in his return to Houston, going the distance with over 120 pitches. Aaron Boone was clearly nervous about letting him start the ninth, especially after Jose Altuve singled on the first pitch. The Yankees bullpen was thin, and Aroldis Chapman—who had been unreliable—was the only real option. Cole powered through a tense at-bat with a mix of 99 mph fastballs and off-speed pitches, staying focused despite a missed spot and a long 3-2 sequence. Then came one of the worst check swing calls in a while, giving Cole a crucial second out.
With a lefty due up, Boone came to the mound, ready to pull him. Cole wasn’t having it. He shouted that he was finishing the game himself. Boone relented, telling him he could face one more batter. Cole and catcher Kyle Higashioka agreed on the plan—three fastballs. He executed it perfectly, blowing the last hitter away for strike three. It was Cole’s most dominant outing without the use of sticky stuff since new enforcement began. He and Higashioka cracked up after the game, and Boone admitted Cole made the right call. Luke Voit was pumped, and the Yankees got a much-needed statement win.