Gerrit Cole Gets Pitch Clock Violation During 150th Win

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole celebrated his 150th career victory on Thursday as the New York Yankees secured a 6-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians. However, the game was marred by a pitch clock violation, marking the second time in five weeks that Cole has faced such a penalty. The violation occurred when plate umpire Derek Thomas penalized Cole for throwing an extra warm-up pitch before the second inning, leading to an automatic ball awarded to rookie Jhonkensy Noel, who subsequently walked. The incident unfolded after Austin Wells struck out to end the first inning. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed frustration over the timing of the violation, noting that Wells had made a quick exit to the dugout, which typically allows for some leeway with the pitch clock. Boone described the situation as "ticky-tacky," suggesting that the Yankees were penalized for attempting to expedite the game. This is not the first time Cole has encountered a pitch clock violation; he was previously cited for a similar infraction during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 19. In that instance, Cole also engaged in a heated discussion with the umpire before continuing to pitch six innings. Despite the controversy, Cole acknowledged that the umpires were adhering to the rules, stating, “He called it by the letter of the law, so it’s a correct call in that sense.” The Yankees' victory solidified their position in the standings, but the ongoing challenges with the pitch clock continue to spark debate among players and managers alike.