It’s been a somewhat disappointing early start to the season for the Yankees. While they’re a few games above .500, they’re sitting at last place in a stacked American League East. And when they’re playing a red-hot team like the Tampa Bay Rays, they absolutely cannot afford to give the Rays extra outs.
But at the same time, it’s never a good look for a pitcher to show up his teammate. And Gerrit Cole drifted awfully close to doing that on Sunday.
With a runner on and two outs in the second inning against the Rays, Gleyber Torres made a running, back-hand stab at a chopping grounder up the middle. But instead of taking the easy out at first base, Torres turned and tried to reach for second base. The Yankees got no outs from the defensive miscue.
Gleyber couldn't get an out here on a bizarre play pic.twitter.com/0NKFcK9hiO
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 7, 2023
Yet, take a look at Cole’s reaction to the play.
Cole wasn't exactly thrilled with Gleyber not getting an out there pic.twitter.com/5d7QSxqmTU
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 7, 2023
He rolled his eyes and shouted, “Oh my God.”
That’s one of those plays where you’d like to see the pitcher move on from and focus on the next batter. And despite showing the frustration, he got Christian Bethancourt to ground into a fielder’s choice the following at-bat.
Fans had thoughts on the exchange too.