Gerrit Cole put together a “master craftsman” outing vs Tigers

The Pirates believe everything is setting up this season for Gerrit Cole to take that next step in becoming a No. 1 ace. His outing today against the Detroit Tigers was a step in that direction. “He was really good today,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Cole who pitched one-hit ball into the seventh. “We’ve seen him really good before. The fastball command makes him dynamic.”

Cole struck out 8, while walking 2 and allowing just 3 hits in six innings pitched. Cole was flawless until he exited in the seventh after loading the bases in what was his only hiccup of the night against an excellent Tigers lineup. Jared Hughes would bail him.

“He wants to be a master craftsman out on the mound, and you saw that today through six innings, for sure,” Hurdle said of Cole.