DUNEDIN, Fla. — Kyle Higashioka homered twice to support Gerrit Cole, and the Yankees beat Toronto, 3-1, on Monday night in the Blue Jays temporary home at their spring training ballpark.
Higashioka caught Cole for the second straight start — and win — after working with him during last year’s playoffs. Gary Sanchez, the Yankees’ No. 1 catcher, was behind the plate for Cole’s first start of the season, against the Blue Jays on opening day.
Cole (2-0) allowed one run and three hits in six innings, struck out eight and walked one. The hard-throwing right-hander finished with a flurry by retiring his final 15 batters — striking out seven.