In a dramatic turn of events during Saturday’s game in the Bronx, the New York Yankees’ ace, Gerrit Cole, hit Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers with a pitch in the first inning.
This incident has sparked strong reactions from both players and managers.
Cole’s Aggressive Strategy
Gerrit Cole’s approach to dealing with Rafael Devers was clear from the start.
During Devers’ first at-bat, Cole threw four inside pitches, the last of which hit the three-time All-Star.
Later in the game, Cole chose to intentionally walk Devers in the fourth inning, even though there were no runners on base.
Boston’s manager, Alex Cora, didn’t hold back in his post-game comments.
“I wasn’t surprised by the intentional walk at all,” Cora stated after the Red Sox’s 7-1 victory.
“I felt like Cole hit Devers on purpose in the first at-bat.
He doesn’t want to face him, and that’s what the intentional walk was telling us.”
Cora made it clear that his team took exception to Cole’s tactics.
Devers’ Reaction and Game Performance
Rafael Devers expressed his surprise at being hit by Cole.
“I didn’t expect that from a future Hall of Famer,” Devers said through a translator.
“It felt like he panicked a bit.”
Despite the early confrontation, Devers continued to contribute significantly.
He drove in two runs with a single during the Red Sox’s four-run fifth inning.
His performance added to his impressive record against Cole, where he’s had success despite a recent slump.
Cole’s Struggles and Red Sox’s Triumph
Gerrit Cole’s performance took a downturn after a strong start.
He retired nine of the first ten batters but then struggled, allowing 10 of the next 12 to reach base.
The veteran right-hander ended up giving up seven runs, his highest total since June 2022.
He also hit a career-high three batters and was pulled after 4 1/3 innings.
On the other hand, Brayan Bello of the Red Sox delivered a solid outing, giving up just one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings.
His effort helped the Red Sox close the gap to 3.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild card spot.
Historical Context and Managerial Reactions
Cole’s intentional walk was notable as it was his first since his days with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017.
Reflecting on the decision, Cole admitted, “They grabbed the momentum. It inspired them.
Looking back, I think it was the wrong move.”
The Yankees’ manager, Aaron Boone, noted his disappointment with the strategy.
“Once we scored the run, my preference would have been to attack them.
But obviously, I didn’t communicate that well enough,” Boone admitted.
A New Face in the Game
In a bright spot for the Red Sox, 27-year-old left-hander Zach Penrod made his MLB debut in the eighth inning, replacing Josh Winckowski.
Penrod impressed by getting three outs, including striking out Austin Wells and Jazz Chisholm Jr. His wife, Kyla, and their newborn daughter, Noa Mae, were present at Yankee Stadium to witness his debut.
With the Yankees’ lead in the AL East now reduced to two games over the second-place Baltimore Orioles, and the Red Sox still in the hunt for a playoff spot, the season’s end promises to be an exciting finish.
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