Cole wins MLB-leading 13th game as Pirates beat Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole had himself a record-setting first half.
The 24-year-old allowed two runs off six hits while striking out three St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, picking up his league-leading 13th win of the season.
"I feel good. I feel strong. I feel healthy," Cole told reporters. "I feel like I've gotten better every time out in some area."
It's been a remarkable start to the season for Cole, who's slated to make his first All-Star appearance next week. With the win over the Cardinals, the 2011 first overall pick joins Dock Ellis as just the second pitcher in franchise history to win 13 games before the Midsummer Classic. Ellis recorded 14 wins in 1971.
"He's found out, even this year, that misexecuted pitches can have some bad results," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said after Cole rebounded from a third-inning two-run homer to shut down the Cardinals over seven strong innings. "You've got to meet the challenges of the game and he's continued to do that through his first half in very strong fashion."
Cole has emerged as one of the best arms in the majors in his third season, having allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 18 starts.