ESPN.com · May 24, 2023
Yankees' Gerrit Cole 3rd-fastest pitcher to 2,000 strikeouts
NEW YORK -- Gerrit Cole entered rarefied air on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles.
The New York Yankees ace recorded his 2,000th career strikeout in the second inning, becoming the third-fastest pitcher in games played to reach the mark.
Cole accomplished the feat in 278 games, behind only Randy Johnson (262 games) and Clayton Kershaw (277 games). Cole also became the third-fastest to reach the mark in innings pitched, trailing just Chris Sale (1,626 innings) and Pedro Martinez (1,711\u2153 innings).
The historic punchout came on a 96.6 mph fastball on a 2-2 count against Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo.