Gerrit Cole Leads Yankees Back Into the Win Column as New York Ends Seven-Game Losing Streak

The New York Yankees finally found a way to stop their difficult stretch, defeating the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Friday night at Yankee Stadium to end a seven-game losing streak. After days of frustration, the Yankees received a much-needed boost from ace pitcher Gerrit Cole, who delivered a determined performance despite an unexpected weather delay and even convinced manager Aaron Boone to let him stay in the game longer than originally planned.

The victory came at an important moment for New York after consecutive losses against the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. The Yankees entered Friday’s matchup looking for anything that could change their momentum, and Cole made sure he did everything possible to help his team secure the win.

A 53-minute weather delay interrupted the game, creating a difficult situation for both teams and especially for starting pitchers. Long delays can make it challenging for pitchers to return to the mound because of the risk of injury and the difficulty of keeping their arms ready. Despite those concerns, Cole stayed prepared throughout the delay by continuing his warm-up routine.

According to Cole, he threw four separate warm-up sessions consisting of eight to fifteen pitches approximately every ten minutes to remain ready when play resumed. His preparation paid off as he returned to the mound and completed five innings, striking out seven batters without issuing a single walk.

Aaron Boone initially planned to remove Cole before the fifth inning after the lengthy delay. However, the Yankees’ ace made it clear that he wanted to continue pitching. After the game, Cole shared that Boone was ready to take him out, but he insisted on staying in because he believed the team needed every possible inning from him during such a difficult stretch.

When asked what he told Boone, Cole joked that he asked to remain in the game, saying he “would like to stay in please.” He later admitted that the word “please” was only implied, adding a lighthearted moment after an important victory.

Cole explained that the circumstances demanded extra effort. He acknowledged that returning to the mound after such a long interruption was not enjoyable, but he believed the Yankees needed more from him if they were going to end their losing streak. He said the team had been struggling and that getting the win mattered far more than the inconvenience of working through the extended delay.

The Yankees also received an important lift from their offense. Trent Grisham made an immediate impact in his first game after returning from the injured list by hitting a home run. Ben Rice, who had been struggling offensively, also connected for a home run to help provide the runs New York needed.

The combination of timely hitting and strong pitching allowed the Yankees to regain confidence after a difficult week. Cole’s five scoreless innings set the tone, while the offense capitalized on key opportunities to build a lead that the Twins could not overcome.

Friday’s result also continued New York’s long history of success against Minnesota. Since 2002, including postseason games, the Yankees have consistently performed well against the Twins, and this latest victory added another chapter to that record.

Although the win ended the losing streak, Cole emphasized afterward that the work is far from finished. He said the clubhouse felt good after finally getting back into the win column, but reminded everyone that success in Major League Baseball requires proving yourself again every day. With another game scheduled the following day, he noted that the team would quickly have to turn its attention to the next challenge.

The Yankees are expected to send Brendan Beck to the mound as the opener on Saturday. Beck enters the opportunity after posting a 7-2 record with a 3.58 ERA across 88 innings in Triple-A this season.

For one night, however, the Yankees found exactly what they had been searching for. Behind Gerrit Cole’s determination, strong execution on the mound, and timely home runs from Trent Grisham and Ben Rice, New York finally put an end to its seven-game slide and earned a much-needed victory that could help reset the team’s momentum.

Sources

• Major League Baseball (MLB)
• New York Yankees Official Team Information