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Gerrit Cole joins elite with 20th straight regular-season win; Yankees rip Red Sox

The right-hander is only the sixth pitcher in major-league history to reach the mark. He's four away from tying Carl Hubbell's record of 24 straight.
 
New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York.
New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. [ FRANK FRANKLIN II | AP ]
Published Aug. 15, 2020

NEW YORK — Gerrit Cole posted his 20th straight regular-season win, becoming the sixth pitcher to reach the mark after throwing seven sharp innings to lead the New York Yankees over the Boston Red Sox 10-3 Friday night.

A noted Yankees fan growing up in Southern California, Cole (4-0) allowed one run and four hits in his first taste of the storied rivalry, albeit in front of empty seats. He struck out eight, walked none and threw 95 pitches.

“It was a tight game for a while,” Cole said. “We needed to make some pitches, and we did.”

Cole, who came within one strike of a win in his previous start — against the Rays last Saturday at Tropicana Field — before getting pulled, moved closer to the all-time record of 24 consecutive victories by Carl Hubbell in 1936-37. Roy Face is next at 22, followed by Cole, Jake Arrieta, Roger Clemens and Rube Marquard, all at 20.

“Best pitcher in the game and that’s what you’re seeing,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “You’re seeing a guy that’s great at his craft with elite stuff and the ability to command it.”

Cole’s only defeat since May 2019 was in the World Series opener last year, when he pitched for Houston and lost to eventual champion Washington.

Since his last loss in the regular season, Cole is 20-0 with a 1.94 ERA in 27 starts. His 27-game unbeaten streak is tied with Firpo Marberry for the fourth-longest in baseball history. Clemens holds the record with a 30-game unbeaten streak in 1998-99 followed by Kris Medlen and Dave McNally at 28 games apiece.

“That’s impressive, but it speaks to his consistency and his work ethic,” Yankees rightfielder Mike Tauchman said.

The Yankees improved to 7-0 at home for the fourth time since 1959 (also 2017, 1998 and 1987). New York also beat Boston for the seventh straight time and is 12-1 at home against the Red Sox since the start of last season.

Gary Sanchez homered for the second straight game for the Yankees, and Gleyber Torres had four hits, including a two-run double in the third.

Tauchman drove in four runs and started in right for Aaron Judge, who landed on the injured list with a mild right calf strain. Clint Frazier also hit a two-run double in the eighth.

DJ LeMahieu had two more hits and ended the night with a .429 average. It was his 69th multihit game as a Yankee and eighth this season.

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Alex Verdugo homered for Boston, which lost its fifth straight to fall to a majors-worst 6-14. The Red Sox also lost to the Yankees for the 12th time in the past 13 meetings since July 28, 2019.

Rafael Devers hit an RBI single for Boston in the eighth off Jonathan Holder.

J.D. Martinez went 0-for-4 with three of his four strikeouts against Cole.

“Obviously a great pitcher makes you chase a lot more,” Boston manager Ron Roenicke said. “Every time I looked up at a strikeout, it was on a corner somewhere, and it was great stuff. Whether it’s 97 fastball or a great slider or a curveball, it’s a great pitch.”

Boston used Colten Brewer (0-1) as an opener and he allowed two runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings.

The Yankees took a 2-0 lead third on Torres’ double in the third, then added three runs apiece in the fifth and seventh and two runs in the eighth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: Jose Peraza (leg) was held out after getting hit by a grounder while pitching in the ninth inning Thursday in a 17-8 loss to the Rays at Fenway Park.

Yankees: Judge’s move to the IL was retroactive to Wednesday, and Boone is hopeful it will be a short stint. Cole said he didn’t notice Judge was missing until the second inning, when he asked his catcher Sanchez where Judge was. “Some teammate I am, I guess,” Cole said. … INF Thairo Estrada was recalled from the alternate site in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. … Closer LHP Aroldis Chapman was slated to face hitters at the alternate site, but the team did not provide an update.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 4.09 ERA) starts Saturday. Eovaldi is 1-1 with a 1.95 ERA in eight appearances, including five starts against the Yankees.

Yankees: LHP James Paxton (0-1, 7.84 ERA) starts Saturday. Paxton is 5-1 with a 3.23 ERA in nine career starts against Boston.

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By LARRY FLEISHER