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Gerrit Cole shuts down Rays: 3 filthiest pitches in AL Cy Young showcase

By Scott Rogust

ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 20: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning during the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 20, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 20: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning during the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 20, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images) /
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New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. Here are three of his best pitches from the outing.

There was big sports things happening in Tampa Bay sports on Monday, June 20. The Lightning were taking on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. But, there was an important feat taking place at Tropicana Field, as the Rays took on the New York Yankees.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning with 12 strikeouts. But in the first at-bat, Cole surrendered a single to center field to Isaac Paredes to lose his no-hit bid.

Despite this, Cole had himself a hell of a showing that may very well help his climb up the AL Cy Young rankings. When looking back at the 12 strikeouts. he recorded, here are three of the best of the night.

3. Painting the corner to strike out Randy Arozarena

Cole found a way to really set the tone at the end of the first inning. After walking Ji-Man Choi with two outs on the board, the Yankees ace had to face off against Randy Arozarena. With a 2-2 count, Cole struck the young Rays star out with a 97.8-mph fastball that beautifully painted the corner.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1539028316623077376?s=20&t=_XbCxHz7wNcOPIh2FxSzow

That was Cole’s first strikeout of many on Monday night.

2. 90-mph slider to Manuel Margot in 4th inning

Once the bottom of the fourth inning began, Cole had six strikeouts to his credit. To start off, he had to face Manuel Margot. Margot would send a 98.5-mph four-seamer foul on the fifth pitch of the at-bat. Cole then decided to throw a 90-mph slider on the very next pitch, and he fooled Margot.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/153038567598628866?s=20&t=cvh7WTz2FXicSgfUWhYa6w

1. 12th strikeout

Cole’s final strikeout of the night was perhaps the filthiest. With Brett Phillips inside the batter’s box, the Yankees right-hander threw a high 97-mph fastball over the top corner of the box. Phillips tried his best to make contact, but he had no chance.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1539055231560040454?cxt=HHwWjIC-7YWl6dsqAAAA

Sure, the no-hitter may not have happened for Cole, but he still put up a strong performance against the Yankees’ division rivals.

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