ANAHEIM, Calif. — Gerrit Cole proved to be the perfect antidote for a four-game losing streak.
Looking to avoid opening September the same way they ended August, the Yankees turned to Cole, pitching in his hometown park for the first time as a Yankee, and the ace lived up to expectations in a 4-1 win over the Angels.
It allowed the Yankees to end a long road trip with a victory as they head into an off day Thursday before a 20-game-in-20-day stretch begins in The Bronx on Friday.
“We knew we needed that win big-time and Gerrit came up huge for us,’’ catcher Kyle Higashioka said.
Cole whiffed a season-high 15 and gave up just one run on four hits — with no walks, in a seven-inning, 116-pitch outing.
He featured a devastating fastball and was able to use all four of his pitches effectively.
And the offense, sparked