Tim Benz: Gerrit Cole finally derailed in Game 1 of World Series

Tim Benz
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019 6:08 a.m. | Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019 6:08 a.m.

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole gets ready to throw against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of Game 1 of the baseball World Series Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Houston.

He’s not a machine. He’s a man!

After winning 19 straight decisions (counting the playoffs) since May 22, that was becoming a debate when examining former Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole.

But Tuesday night in Game 1 of the World Series, the Washington Nationals proved that if he bleeds…

Washington beat Cole’s Houston Astros in the Fall Classic opener, 5-4.

For the first time since roughly Memorial Day, Cole showed some signs of vulnerability. And the National League champion Nationals exploited him.

The right-hander allowed five earned runs and eight hits over seven innings. He only had six strikeouts. That was his lowest total since Aug. 1 when he only tallied four versus the Cleveland Indians.

Pirates fans saw some rare moments that were reminiscent of Cole’s later days in Pittsburgh. The frustrated pawing at the dirt on the mound. The snapping of the glove. The slumping shoulders. The eye rolls and heavy sighs.

Also, the long balls, the inability to put hitters away and end innings, the failure to prevent “give back” innings from the opponent.

Just look at this grooved, two-out homer from Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman after the Astros had staked Cole to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

First ever Washington Nationals draft pick – ✅

First ever Washington Nationals World Series home run – ✅pic.twitter.com/2Gsidj4fzY

— Starting 9 (@Starting9) October 23, 2019

Or this two-out, two-strike RBI double from Juan Soto, who also homered earlier in the game.

This is Juan Soto's first #WorldSeries game.

But you wouldn't know it based on these at-bats. pic.twitter.com/XTjcwHbl3a

— MLB (@MLB) October 23, 2019

The Cole we have watched for the vast majority of his time in Houston was the one most of us prayed we’d see all the time in Pittsburgh. The same one we saw for all of 2014 and parts of his other four years at PNC Park.

The one we watched last night was the one that was similar to the 2017 edition that grinded his way to a 4.26 ERA and 31 home runs allowed in his final season as a Bucco.

Odds are, Cole will see at least another start in the World Series. And he deserves it after the magnificent season he has had.

But Game 1 was a surprising disappointment.