Cole's streak ends as Nats rough up Astros ace in Game 1

HOUSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole trudged slowly off the mound, wiped the sweat from his upper lip and took a handshake and pat on the backside from manager AJ Hinch.

Walking away without a lead — not something Cole and the Houston Astros are used to. Certainly not what they expected in the World Series opener.

"He's been so good for so long that there builds this thought of invincibility and that it's impossible to beat him," Hinch said. "So when it happens it is a surprise to all of us."

The Washington Nationals roughed up Cole for five runs in seven innings Tuesday night, beating Houston 5-4 to jump ahead in the best-of-seven series.

Cole suffered his first loss since May 22. Set to cash in as a free agent this offseason, he had won a single-season record 19 consecutive decisions. His postseason prior to Tuesday was nearly perfect: 3-0 record, one run allowed, and 32 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.

In his first World Series appearance and ninth postseason game, the 29-year-old right-hander gave up his most runs since the White Sox tagged him for six in that May 22 loss.

"I didn't have my A-game tonight," Cole said. "Outside of a few pitches that tacked on a few runs, we worked pretty well with what we had. These are the two best teams in the world right now so you try not to beat yourself up too much, especially if you've got to grind in those situations."

The Astros gave Cole a lead with a two-run first, but a shot by Ryan Zimmerman an inning later cut the advantage to 1. Cole didn't even turn around to watch where that one landed, simply throwing his right hand up and preparing for the next pitch.

Houston still had the lead when 20-year-old Juan Soto knocked a fastball from Cole onto the train tracks atop left field. Soto struck again in the fifth, lining a two-run...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Cole-s-streak-ends-as-Nats-rough-up-Astros-ace-in-14555116.php