Full Breakdown
Cole’s Rain-Delay Win Ends Yankees’ Seven-Game Slide
7/4/2026, 9:29:30 PM
Yankees End Seven-Game Slide with Cole’s Rain-Delay Victory
On July 3, 2026 New York Yankees beat Minnesota Twins 5-2, ending a seven-game losing streak. Gerrit Cole pitched five innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out seven, walked none, endured a 53-minute rain delay after a strikeout in third.
Injuries and Recent Struggles
Yankees were without Aaron Judge and had put Carlos Rodón on the 15-day IL. Cole entered with a 6.12 ERA over his last four starts, including nine runs in 9 2/3 innings, but had two scoreless outings earlier.
Game Timeline
Clemens gave Twins a 1-0 lead; Grisham’s leadoff homer tied it. Following a 53-minute rain delay, Rice’s two-run blast put New York ahead 3-1. Cole allowed a double to Luke Keaschall before retiring the side. Caballero’s RBI and Bednar’s save sealed the win.
Statistics Snapshot
Cole: 5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 7 K, 0 BB, 88 pitches. Rice’s two-run blast was his 24th homer. Grisham added a leadoff homer and a sac fly. Mike Paredes gave up three runs on four hits in four innings, striking out one. Byron Buxton missed with a right-hip impingement. Bednar recorded his 17th save with three strikeouts.
Impact on Season
The win halted the Yankees’ longest skid since August 2023, delivering a win in four games and boosting confidence in a rotation hampered by injuries and high ERAs. Cole’s effective outing suggested a return to form, while timely power compensated for lineup gaps.
Official Statements
Cole said the win was essential and that enduring the rain delay required doing the “hard stuff” that is “not fun” but necessary. Boone praised Cole’s determination, noting he was “pumped to see him go back out there” and that keeping the ace proved worthwhile.
Criticism
Commentators noted Cole’s outing lacked dominance, citing four extra-base hits and the manager’s pull consideration after just 78 pitches, raising stamina and command concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Screw coming back,” — Gerrit Cole, Yankees starting pitcher
- “We needed this win today. … You’ve got to do hard stuff in this league sometimes. Sometimes it’s not fun. It’s not fun to sit around for an hour and 20 minutes, throwing bullpens, but it’s what was needed. We needed a little bit more tonight and thankfully, we got it done.” — Gerrit Cole
- “He definitely was going to take me out and I definitely wasn’t coming out,” — Gerrit Cole
- “I was pumped to see him go back out there and go through top of order,” — Aaron Boone, Yankees manager
What's Next
Yankees will start rookie Brendan Beck on July 4 against Zebby Matthews of Minnesota. Aaron Judge remains out and Carlos Rodón stays on the 15-day IL, leaving the rotation unsettled.
