ARLINGTON, Texas — Aaron Judge wasn’t the only Yankee to make history on Tuesday night.
After Judge broke Roger Maris’ franchise record for homers in the top of the first, Gerrit Cole surpassed Ron Guidry for the most strikeouts in a season, with his second-inning strikeout of Texas’ Nathaniel Lowe that gave him 249 and snapped his tie with Guidry’s mark set in 1978.
Cole went on to strike out nine Rangers in six innings at Globe Life Field, giving him 257 for the season.
“On a night like tonight, you’re like ‘Whoa, there’s a lot of history going on,’ ” Cole said of both he and Judge setting franchise records.
He also heard from Guidry, who called into the Yankee clubhouse after the 3-2 loss to Texas.
“I’ve been waiting since you put on a Yankee uniform for this moment because I knew you were gonna do it at some point,’’ Guidry told Cole in a video posted to the Yankees’ Twitter account.
Despite the milestone, Cole was hurt by the home run ball again, as Leody Taveras hit a two-run shot off him in the bottom of the fifth to give Texas the lead.
The right-hander has allowed at least three runs in each of his last five starts — although only two were earned on Tuesday — and has given up home runs in eight consecutive outings.
Cole said Monday he wasn’t concerned whether he pitched Game 1 or 2 of the ALDS, saying there was some “merit” to the argument that Nestor Cortes should pitch the opener.
“I feel I’m in a good spot to take the ball whenever they need me,’’ Cole said. “This is one of the healthiest seasons I’ve had in the last five or six years.”