HOUSTON (SPORTSRADIO 610) – Gerrit Cole had won 19 straight decisions dating back to May 22, and his last 22 starts. Juan Soto and the Nationals ended the streak as they touched him up for five runs over seven innings to hand him the loss in Game 1 of the World Series.
“He's been so good for so long that there builds this thought of invincibility and that it's impossible to beat him. So when it happens it is a surprise to all of us because we've watched for months this guy completely dominate the opposition,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said following the Astros 5-4 loss to Washington.
Juan Soto played a big part in ending the streak as he drove in three runs with a game-tying solo homer in the fourth inning, and then a 2-RBI double the following inning to add to the Nationals lead they would never surrender.
Juan Soto is 20. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/BPS7FSkSoO
— MLB (@MLB)
October 23, 2019 “I'm glad I faced him in spring training, too,” Soto said after his big performance. "So I know how the ball -- how the ball is going to be, how high it’s going to be, the curveball, the slider, everything, because I faced him in spring training. And just try to -- I got the report, he throw a lot of fastballs, he likes to throw the fastball. I just sat there and waited for the fastball."
While Cole may win the Cy Young, or worst case finish second, he’s been more dominant in the postseason. Cole entered Game 1 of the World Series with a 3-0 record in the 2019 postseason with a 0.40 ERA.
“He's really good. I never doubt our guys, ever. They come out to play. We have a game plan, they stick with it,” Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez said during his postgame press conference. “Sometimes they don't go well, but I believe in those guys in there every single day. And they're going to come out and play and not give up until the last out.”
