Cole — and his dad — looking forward to return of fans

Gerrit Cole is looking forward to having his father at Yankee Stadium on opening day to watch him pitch in person in pinstripes for the first time.

Mark Cole grew up a Yankees fan in Syracuse, New York, but his son's first season after signing a $324 million, nine-year contract was played in empty ballparks because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

New York expects some seats will be allowed to be filled when it hosts Toronto for its April 1 opener.

“My dad’s been itching to get to Yankee Stadium to watch a game,” Cole said Thursday after striking out five over three innings while allowing one run and three hits in a 6-1 win over Philadelphia.

“If they don't let us in for an opening day. I’m going to put the radio on outside the gate and just sit there and listen,” Cole recalled his father telling him.

“I think we could probably get you in,” the pitcher remembered responding. “And then, of course, now it's it for sure it'll be able to happen, and he gets to see it. So he’s excited, and it’ll be honestly easier on everybody's family now that we got some access.”

Aaron Hicks led off the game with a home run off Aaron Nola and added an RBI double in the fifth. Nola gave up two runs and four hits in four innings.

Bryce Harper went 0 for 3 and is hitless in nine at-bats.

Jonathan Loaisiga pitched three hitless innings.

SHORT TRIPS

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker is a fan of the baseball’s pod scheduling for spring training this year. In fact, he’d like to see the format stick.

The Braves are playing only teams on Florida’s West Coast in spring training. The reduced travel time means the team has had more time at its North Port, Florida facility.

“I’ve loved it, quite honestly,” Snitker said. “I don’t know if it’s a possibility to...

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