Yankees Notebook: Bombers top Phillies behind Gerrit Cole’s strong start, Michael King and Aaron Hicks face adversity

After a strong 2023 debut, Gerrit Cole shoved again. Gleyber Torres, meanwhile, continued his hot start to the season. But it was catcher Jose Trevino who put the nail in the Phillies’ coffin as the Bombers beat Philadelphia, 4-2, in a series-deciding game on Wednesday afternoon.

With the Yankees already up 2-1 in the seventh inning, Trevino lined a two-run homer to left field, his first longball of the season. The shot, which came off a slider from Phillies reliever Gregory Soto, gave the Yankees a desirable cushion after the Phillies found their way onto the scoreboard earlier in the frame.

Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber hit a solo homer in the eighth, but that was the most Philadelphia’s offense could muster.

Prior to Trevino’s home run, Torres picked up a pair of RBI singles in the first and sixth innings. He added a double in the eighth, and he also stole two bases on the day. Torres is now hitting .421 with two dingers, six RBI and five swipes over six games to start the year.

“[He’s] just been really patient, under control at-bats,” Aaron Boone said of Torres. “That’s what he’s capable of. We’ve seen that. Hopefully, we’re seeing a guy that’s really starting to enter the prime of his career.”

On the mound, Cole outdueled Phillies ace Aaron Nola. The Yankees’ No. 1 starter went 6.1 innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, three walks and eight strikeouts over 103 pitches. One of the walks came on a pitch clock violation, which coincidentally ended Cole’s day.

“I feel like he’s been in a good spot since day one of spring training, and he’s carried it right into the season,” Boone said of Cole. “[He] had a little bit of everything going today. I thought his fastball was really good command-wise. The changeup continues to be a factor for him. Both breaking balls - he was sharp.”

Nola allowed seven hits, three earned runs and one walk while striking out five on 87 pitches.

“It’s exciting,” Cole said of lining up against another top-of-rotation pitcher. “I mean, Nola’s great. He’s great. The Phillies are great. Their lineup’s a joke; they’re so good. So I knew this was gonna be a fun scrap for the rubber game. Fortunately, we were able to come out on top.”

Once Cole exited, right-handers Jonathan Loaisiga and Clay Holmes wrapped things up. Loaisiga allowed one earned run — Schwarber’s homer — while Holmes recorded his second scoreless outing in a row after surrendering two runs in his 2023 debut on April 1.

DONALDSON EXITS

Josh Donaldson exited Wednesday’s game early on with right hamstring tightness. He will be re-evaluated Thursday.

Boone didn’t think the injury was too severe, but he noted that hamstrings can be tricky, and that an MRI was possible. Donaldson, meanwhile, said he felt a little soreness after the game.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa replaced Donaldson at third base in the third inning after the latter pulled up lame following an at-bat.

KING’S CONUNDRUM

Michael King, back on the mound after a stress fracture in his right elbow prematurely ended his breakout 2022 season, has shown some rust early on. The righty has pitched in two games and allowed a handful of runs to score on his watch. While Tuesday’s outing saw runs charged to starter Domingo German, King owned up to not getting the job done in relief.

Afterward, he said that he’s been battling timing and mechanical issues, particularly with his four-seam fastball, which has been averaging a few less miles per hour than it did a season ago.

King said his elbow has “been feeling great.” While he said that a “dead arm” is a possible concern, he believes the dip in velocity stems from him trying to generate power too early in his mechanics, instead of it coming from late hand speed. When The News asked for clarification, King said that he basically wants to make sure his delivery is smooth up until the point he needs to let the ball rip.

“I don’t know if it’s a dead arm or just more me trying to muscle up to really get the velo, because I’m noticing that,” said King, who discussed his mechanics with pitching coach Matt Blake. “I think it’s more a quick mechanical change that I gotta get comfortable with.”

Boone, meanwhile, said that the tweaks King needs to make are “very, very subtle.”

HARD ON HICKS

Aaron Hicks has been a popular subject early on this season thanks to his struggles at the plate and inconsistent role, which he’s expressed frustration with. But with zero hits in eight plate appearances — Hicks didn’t play Wednesday — the veteran has already received his fair share of boos.

However, Boone doesn’t think the negative response is impacting Hicks in the box.

“It’s not the greatest reaction, but you gotta deal with it, fight through it. I don’t think it had any effect on him,” the manager said Tuesday night. “I think he’s handling it fine.”

Boone said more of the same Wednesday morning when the subject was broached again.

“He knows that’s coming,” Boone said of the boos, but he’s been happy with the outfielder’s at-bats. “That can be a little overwhelming and uncomfortable, but I think he’s past that point and just wants to perform.”

Hicks will get a chance to get away from the Bronx’s boo birds Friday when the Yankees begin their first road trip of the season in Baltimore.

INJURED PITCHERS PROGRESSING

A pair of injured Yankees pitchers are progressing.

Wednesday marked Luis Severino’s fourth day of throwing after suffering a lat strain late in camp. He’s up to 90 feet and will go to Baltimore with the goal of throwing his first bullpen, per Boone.

Meanwhile, Tommy Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) played catch Wednesday. He was all smiles and gave a thumbs up when he walked by Boone’s office in the morning.

RAINING IN BALTIMORE

The Yankees’ first road trip of the season will start with a postponement after the Orioles pushed their home opener back to Friday. The team, citing “severe inclement weather,” made the decision Wednesday after consulting with Major League Baseball.

The game will still be played at 3:05 p.m. on Friday, which originally served as an off day to protect against this very scenario. The Yankees will play the Orioles again on Saturday and Sunday before finishing their road trip with a three-game series in Cleveland.