Gerrit Cole has arguably been one of the best pitchers in MLB this season. The New York Yankees ace sports a 2.78 ERA, which is in the top 20 of the league today. Cole can usually be relied on to provide a solid performance on the mound, at the very least.

The Yankees got the exact opposite of solid from Gerrit Cole on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. The ace uncharacteristically gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs to start the game. That lowlight is something that has never been seen in the history of the Yanks, via ESPN Stats and Info:

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Cole faced Luis Arraez, Byron Buxton, and Carlos Correa during the first inning of the game. All three are ferocious hitters, but nothing that a pitcher of Cole's pedigree normally can't handle. However, an uncharacteristic showing from the Yankees star saw him give up homers to these three Twins hitters.

The struggles didn't end there for Cole. He'd give up another three-run homer to Buxton during the second inning. A third-inning HR from Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach ended the Yankees ace's night early. Cole would finish with a dreadful line: 2 1/3 innings pitched, eight hits, seven earned runs, and two walks.

Yankees fans are hoping that this game is just an aberration from their star pitcher. Cole finished last season as the runner-up to AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray. Putting this game aside, he's having arguably a better season than last year: a lower ERA and fewer hits given up have put the Yanks in firm playoff contention this season.