Gerrit Cole found himself at the center of the action in the New York Yankees-Toronto Blue Jays game on Sunday, and he wasn't even playing. The Yankees ace had a few choice words for Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah in the fifth inning. After what appeared to be a malicious and dangerous pitch to Yankees' star Aaron Judge, Cole took action.It was a heated and tense battle between the first- and second-place teams in the American League East. In a tight game with major playoff implications, tensions finally boiled over in the fifth inning.Talkin' Yanks@TalkinYanksAaron Judge had words for Alek Manoah and Gerrit Cole was quick to come out of the dugout8699715Aaron Judge had words for Alek Manoah and Gerrit Cole was quick to come out of the dugout https://t.co/KnUDe0gjMhWhen Manoah drilled Judge with a fastball with first base open, the Yankees had reason to be upset. MLB fans were quick to point out that Gerrit Cole was the first to come out of the dugout to get involved.RomDog@theromdog@TalkinYanks Lol Manoah would obliterate Cole3481@TalkinYanks Lol Manoah would obliterate ColeHockey Is All (65-97)@Hockey_Is_All@TalkinYanks Why does gerrit Cole throw so many tantrums. Bro is all talk, Manoah would rock him.77@TalkinYanks Why does gerrit Cole throw so many tantrums. Bro is all talk, Manoah would rock him.With a season-high 46 home runs this season, Aaron Judge has seen very little to hit over the past few weeks. Teams are working around him and pitching extra cautiously to the Yankees outfielder. Judge has only four home runs in his previous 19 games.LFGM@bleednucksblue@TalkinYanks Cole with the fake tough guy move commonly referred to as the Noah Syndergaard.71@TalkinYanks Cole with the fake tough guy move commonly referred to as the Noah Syndergaard.Joe@PositiveJoe99@TalkinYanks Kermit should use that energy to figure out how to pitch better.39@TalkinYanks Kermit should use that energy to figure out how to pitch better.Since first base was open, Cole may have thought Manoah saw an opportunity to plunk Judge.Frustrations boiled over for the Yankees and Gerrit Cole on Sunday after a poor second half of the seasonGerrit Cole blows a bubble in the dugout before the start of the game against the Minnesota Twins.Manoah was asked about the pitch after the game and made it clear he didn't intend to hit Judge. He also had a strong message for Cole."I think if Gerrit wants to do something, he can walk past the Audi sign next time," said Manoah.The Audi sign is a reference to the car brand's logo in front of the visiting team dugout. Manoah's message was a challenge for the Yankees ace.Blue Star@TOTHEMAX22@twistedleafs too bad Cole didn't walk past the Audi sign, Manoah would have chewed him up like a piece of sushi.@twistedleafs too bad Cole didn't walk past the Audi sign, Manoah would have chewed him up like a piece of sushi.Brandon Scott@brandonkscottAlek Manoah against Gerrit Cole if he dared pass that Audi sign.22Alek Manoah against Gerrit Cole if he dared pass that Audi sign. https://t.co/MS1bvs1pAiFans were disappointed with how Gerrit Cole conducted himself on this occasion. This is not the first time he has been the instigator during a game. He has a tendency to lose his cool.The Yankees' current struggles may have led to some of Cole's frustrations. The team has now lost six straight series. They were 2-8 entering last night's game, and their lead over the Blue Jays had shrunk to seven games.Sami@untried_sam@TalkinYanks What a loser Cole is. Lol.401@TalkinYanks What a loser Cole is. Lol.jononymous@jonfromnyc@TalkinYanks Look at Cole with the tantrum OFF the mound.8@TalkinYanks Look at Cole with the tantrum OFF the mound.Aaron Judge defused the situation like a professional. He calmed the dugout and actioned for Cole to calm down.Manoah is listed at 6'6" and 285 pounds. Gerrit Cole is 6'4" and 220 pounds. Aaron Judge is 6'7" and 282 pounds. It would've been very interesting to see what ensued if the benches had cleared.dan🇨🇦@IGotBlocked6@TalkinYanks cole forgot he hit someone yesterday too1231@TalkinYanks cole forgot he hit someone yesterday tooThe Yankees went on to win the game 4-2. In the seventh, Andrew Benintendi hit his first home run as a Yankee to help the team avoid a sweep by the Blue Jays.New York is now eight games ahead of Toronto and the Tampa Bay Rays entering a critical two-game series versus the New York Mets. Cole will most likely not pitch in that series, but who knows? He might find a way to get himself involved in the action.