Gerrit Cole Sets Yankees Opening Day Strikeout Record
One for the books.
Ace pitcher Gerrit Cole struck out 11 San Francisco Giants batters to set the Yankees Opening Day record on Thursday.
To go along with his 11 punch outs, Cole allowed just three hits and two walks across six shutout innings.
Despite walking the leadoff batter to begin the game, Cole settled in to strikeout the next four hitters in a row.
Cole reached 10 strikeouts in the fourth inning, topping the Yankees previous record held by Tim Leary, who struck out nine on Opening Day in 1991.
Cole left the game after six innings with his team up 3-0.
This was Cole's fourth straight Opening Day start for the Yankees.
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