Pirates' Cole is NL Pitcher of the Month

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for April on Monday.

Cole, 24, won his last four starts to go 4-0 in April and had a 1.76 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings.

After not receiving a decision in his season debut -- a 5-4 Pirates loss to Cincinnati -- Cole gave up just three earned runs in 25 2/3 innings in victories over Detroit, Milwaukee, Arizona and the Chicago Cubs. He was the first Pirates pitcher to earn the award since Randy Tomlin in June 1992.

[SportsNetwork.com]