Manoah fires back at Cole after Judge HBP: 'Walk past the Audi sign next time'

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah had a response for Gerrit Cole after the New York Yankees pitcher reacted to teammate Aaron Judge being hit by a pitch during Sunday's series finale, which the Yankees won 4-2.

"Been struggling with my sinker for about five, six starts now. I made a pitch and obviously hit Judge," Manoah said, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "I looked at him and said, 'I'm not trying to do that.' I think he understood that. And I think if Gerrit wants to do something, he can walk past the Audi sign (sprayed on the grass) next time."

Manoah plunked Judge in the fifth inning with first base open. Judge had words for the Blue Jays pitcher before an angry Cole exited the dugout and had something of his own to say to Manoah.

Judge and Manoah seemed to work the issue out while walking up the first-base line, and the Yankees slugger waved his teammates back to the dugout.

"Aaron got hit, and we've been dusted several times," Cole said while explaining his reaction, according to YES Network. "My heartbeat was going ... I guess I was just on one today."

Judge didn't believe Manoah hit him on purpose. "No, but it's the heat of the moment, nobody likes getting hit," he said.

It was an intense moment for a Yankees team that's been scuffling and had lost the first three games of the series to the Blue Jays.

Before Sunday's contest, Judge said New York needed "better energy" from the dugout, and manager Aaron Boone fumed as he slammed a table during a post-game interview while describing his club's struggles Saturday.

The Yankees own a 5-14 record in August.