2024 has been kind to the New York Yankees; through 62 games, they are tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the MLB at 43-19. This remarkable turnaround from a substandard 2023 season seems to be benefiting not just the current Yankees roster but also their former players. On Tuesday night, former Yankees starting pitcher Frankie Montas had one of the best games of his career in a 4-1 win for his Cincinnati Reds over the Colorado Rockies.
Pitching away from home at Coors Field, notoriously one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the MLB, Montas was on a roll. He pitched seven innings, allowed just one hit and two walks, struck out nine, and blanked the Rockies in his time on the mound. This performance not only showcased his skill but also made history.
According to OptaSTATS on Twitter (X), Montas became the first player in MLB history to throw at least seven shutout innings as a visiting pitcher in Coors Field while striking out at least nine and allowing no more than one hit. The 31-year-old former Yankees starter wasn’t having a stellar season prior to his electric start in Coors Field on Tuesday, pitching to a 4.60 ERA for the Reds in 2024. However, with this stellar performance, he brought his ERA down to 4.00.
Montas, known for his velocity that can befuddle hitters, found his groove in a convincing 4-1 Reds victory that moves them to 28-33 on the year—just two games out of the third Wild Card spot in the NL. This performance underscores the clean slate and potential resurgence that 2024 has brought, not only to the Yankees but also to their former members like Frankie Montas.