In 2024, the New York Yankees are enjoying a successful season, currently tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the MLB’s best record at 43-19 after 62 games. This improvement from their lackluster performance in 2023 extends beyond the current roster, as even former players are finding success with fresh starts in new seasons. On Tuesday night, Frankie Montas, a former Yankees starting pitcher now with the Cincinnati Reds, delivered an exceptional performance against the Colorado Rockies, helping his team secure a 4-1 victory.
Despite pitching in Coors Field, known for its hitter-friendly conditions, Montas dominated the game. He pitched seven innings, allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out nine batters, effectively shutting out the Rockies. This outstanding display made history, as Montas became the first player in MLB history to pitch at least seven shutout innings as a visiting pitcher in Coors Field, while also striking out at least nine batters and allowing no more than one hit.
Before this standout performance, Montas had struggled during the 2024 season with a 4.60 ERA for the Reds. However, his remarkable outing significantly lowered his ERA to 4.00. Despite his previous challenges, Montas showcased his pitching prowess, contributing to the Reds’ victory and bringing them closer to the NL Wild Card race.
Leading up to his impressive performance, Montas had faced difficulties in his recent starts, allowing 14 earned runs in his last four games. His overall pitching statistics, including a strikeout to walk ratio of 1.83 and mediocre fielding-independent pitching and xFIP numbers, reflected his struggles prior to the game against the Rockies.
Nevertheless, Montas found his rhythm on Tuesday night, effectively utilizing his pitch mix to keep the Rockies’ hitters off balance throughout the game. His fastball proved particularly effective, contributing to six of his strikeouts. Despite pitching in a challenging environment like Coors Field, Montas delivered one of the best performances of his career.
Montas’s journey to success with the Reds follows his brief and challenging stint with the Yankees in 2022, where he struggled with a high ERA before ultimately being released. Despite parting ways with Montas, the Yankees have thrived in subsequent seasons, with other pitchers stepping up to fill the void left by his departure. With ace Gerrit Cole nearing a return from injury, the Yankees’ prospects for the remainder of the season appear promising.
Jedd Pagaduan, a sports enthusiast, channels his passion into writing about sports as a form of therapy, despite his allegiance to teams that have faced their fair share of disappointments.
