Gerrit Cole has to use a ball he doesnt like and gives up a homer, a breakdown

In a critical American League matchup, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole takes the mound against the Detroit Tigers. With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning, Cole is forced to use a new baseball after catcher Gary Sanchez discards the previous one. Cole expresses his displeasure with the unfamiliar baseball, telling the umpire, "This is a practice ball. Can I throw it out there?" The umpire denies his request, requiring Cole to use the new ball. Visibly frustrated, the All-Star right-hander applies pine tar to the ball in an attempt to get a better grip. As Detroit's Miguel Andújar steps into the batter's box, Cole winds up and delivers the first pitch - a 95 mph fastball. Andújar drives the offering over the left field wall for a solo home run, giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead. Cole shakes his head and mutters, "What the f---? This ball sucks," clearly blaming the new baseball for the costly mistake. The Yankees-Tigers rivalry has been intense in recent years, with the two teams battling for AL East supremacy. This late-inning duel adds another chapter to their ongoing feud. Cole, one of baseball's premier pitchers, is normally meticulous about the baseballs he uses, having voiced his preferences throughout the 2022 season. However, in this high-pressure situation, he is forced to adapt to an unfamiliar ball and it proves costly. The home run by Andújar, a young slugger looking to make a name for himself, gives the Tigers a crucial advantage in a tight game between two playoff contenders. As the inning comes to a close, the camera captures Cole's frustration, the ace visibly upset with the umpire's decision and the impact it had on the outcome of the at-bat. The Yankees will need to rally in the later innings if they hope to overcome Cole's uncharacteristic mistake and secure a crucial victory in this divisional showdown.