NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole pitched a seven-inning two-hitter, DJ LeMahieu led off the first inning with the first of three Yankees homers and New York beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-0 Friday in a doubleheader opener.
New York moved 2 1/2 games ahead of the Orioles for the AL’s final postseason spot as the teams began a four-game series. The Yankees had lost 15 of 21 entering Friday amid a rash of injuries, dropping to third place in the AL East behind Tampa Bay and Toronto.
Cole (5-3) opened with 4 2/3 hitless innings before Hanser Alberto singled, although his effort wouldn’t have resulted in a no-hitter regardless.