The Yankees began the playoffs with the script they conceived last winter: Gerrit Cole blowing smoke and the Bronx Bombers handing out sticks.
Harrison Bader and Anthony Rizzo homered, Cole dominated for most of the night and New York beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 Tuesday night in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
Even a Josh Donaldson gaffe on the bases couldn’t stop the Yankees, who have won six straight in the postseason against Cleveland. The streak dates back to the 2017 Division Series, in which they overturned a 2-0 deficit.
After rookie Steven Kwan put the Guardians up with a third-inning homer, Cole survived a bases-loaded quagmire later in the inning by striking out Andres Gimenez.
Cole allowed only two additional baserunners to reach base, with a single and his only walk. He was relieved after giving up one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. Cole was credited with the victory, while Nicaraguan Jonathan Loáisiga, Dominican Wandy Peralta and Clay Holmes completed the two-hit relief. Cleveland struck out nine times, after being the fewest team in the Major Leagues during the regular season.
For the Guardians, the Dominicans Amed Rosrio 3-0, José Ramírez 3-2, Óscar González 4-0. The Venezuelan Andrés Giménez 4-1.
For the Yankees, the Venezuelans Gleyber Torres 3-0, Oswaldo Cabrera 3-0.