New York Yankees staff ace Gerrit Cole picked up his 2,000th career strikeout on Tuesday night against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.Cole became the third-fastest pitcher to 2,000 strikeouts in terms of both games played (278) and innings pitched (1,714 2/3). Only Randy Johnson and Clayton Kershaw got there in fewer games, while Chris Sale and Pedro Martinez achieved the milestone in fewer innings.Cole, who entered Tuesday at 1,998 career strikeouts, had a rough start to the series opener when he allowed two runs in the first inning. But he retired the side in order in the second, closing the inning with consecutive strikeouts of Terrin Vavra and Jorge Mateo to hit 2,000.