NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole pitched eight innings of outstanding work, Dominican Juan Soto went 4-for-4 and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 on Friday.
Cole (3-1) made his sixth start since June 20, when he returned from right elbow inflammation. He allowed one run and six hits on the night as dolls depicting the 33-year-old right-hander holding his Cy Young Trophy were distributed.
The pitcher walked and threw 103 pitches, reaching a century for the second straight time.
Soto reached base five times and continued his personal success against Tampa Bay's Zach Eflin (5-7) with three hits, including a double in the fourth inning, when he scored on two Rays errors.
Dominican is hitting .500 (17-for-34) against Eflin, whom he faced often when he pitched as a right-hander with the Phillies and Soto was part of Washington.
Soto notched his fourth hit of the game in the opening inning of the sixth on a double by Sean Armstrong. He scored on an RBI single by Aaron Judge.
The Rays defeated Mexicans Isaac Paredes 4-0 and Randy Arozarena 4-1. Dominican Jose Seri 4-1. Panama's Jose Caballero 4-2.
For the Yankees, Dominican Soto was 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Mexican Alex Verdugo was 0-for-4 with an RBI. Venezuelan Gleyber Torres was 4-1.