In the 4th inning of the game against Boston, with one out and no runners on base, ‘natural enemy’ Devers intentionally threw four pitches.
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[뉴욕=AP/뉴시스] Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). 2024.09.15
[서울=뉴시스] Reporter Kim Hee-jun = New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (34) was disappointed after choosing an intentional four-ball pitch when there were no runners on base.
Cole, who started in the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) game against the Boston Red Sox held at Yankee Stadium in New York, USA on the 15th (Korean time), intentionally walked Rafael Devers with four pitches in the top of the fourth inning with one out and no runners on base.
Cole continued his no-hitter through the top of the fourth inning, with a hit-by-pitch to Devers in the first inning being his only run on base.
However, Cole, who faced his ‘natural enemy’ Devers, chose an intentional four-ball. Before the game that day, Devers had shown a strong performance against Cole with a batting average of 0.333 (13 hits in 39 at-bats) and 8 home runs.
It is unusual to intentionally throw a walk to put a runner on base with no runners on base.
MLB.com said, “Cole’s intentional walk with no runners on base in the fourth inning is the earliest by a Yankees pitcher. Previously, the earliest intentional walks with no runners on base after the start of a game were by Roy Sherrid in 1930 and Fritz Peterson in the sixth inning in 1970.”
Cole’s choice was a failure.
Devers, who got on base for ‘free’, stole second. Cole walked Tyler O’Neal, putting runners on first and second with one out, and then gave up a left-field RBI double to Masataka Yoshida and a two-RBI single to Willier Abreu to make it 1-3.
After creating a crisis with one out and bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Cole failed to intentionally throw four pitches to Devers and gave up a two-RBI single to right field.
The Yankees lost 7-1 as Cole faltered. Cole pitched 4⅓ innings, allowing five hits, striking out two, walking three, and giving up seven runs, taking his fifth loss (6 wins) of the season.
[뉴욕=AP/뉴시스] Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). 2024.09.15
In an interview with local reporters after the game, Cole said, “I had a conversation with the coaches before the game that ‘it would be an effective strategy to throw Devers an intentional walk,'” but he also said, “It was clearly my mistake to choose an intentional walk in the fourth inning.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed regret, saying, “In the fourth inning, when we were up 1-0, I wanted Cole to go toe-to-toe with Devers. But there was a lack of communication.”
Yankees catcher Austin Wells said, “I didn’t know Cole and the coaches had talked about the intentional walk. I was really surprised when he gave the sign for the intentional walk.”
Devers was equally surprised. “I was surprised that a future Hall of Famer like Cole would walk a pitch with no runners on base,” Devers said. “I thought Cole was a little taken aback.”
“If I had pitched well after giving up the intentional walk, the strategy would have worked,” Cole said. “I should have pitched better after choosing the intentional walk.”
Boston manager Alex Cora said of Cole’s hit-by-pitch to Devers in the first inning, “Cole didn’t want to face Devers. The fact that he gave up an intentional walk in the fourth inning means that the hit-by-pitch in the first inning was intentional.”
Cole then countered, “Coach Cora would like to believe that, but I didn’t throw the pitch with intent.”
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What prompted Gerrit Cole to intentionally walk Rafael Devers during the game?
Gerrit Cole’s Unconventional Strategy: Intentional Walk to Rafael Devers Backfires
In a surprising turn of events, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole intentionally walked Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers in the top of the fourth inning with one out and no runners on base. This unconventional strategy ultimately backfired, as Devers went on to steal second base and spark a Boston rally that would eventually lead to a 7-1 Yankee loss.
A Rare Move
Cole’s decision to intentionally walk Devers was a rare move, especially considering the game situation. According to MLB.com, this was the earliest intentional walk with no runners on base by a Yankees pitcher. The previous records were set by Roy Sherrid in 1930 and Fritz Peterson in 1970, both in the sixth inning.
The Rationale Behind the Walk
Cole’s reasoning behind the intentional walk was due to Devers’ strong performance against him in the past. Devers had a batting average of 0.333 (13 hits in 39 at-bats) and 8 home runs against Cole before the game. Cole wanted to avoid a potential big hit from Devers, who has been a thorn in his side throughout his career.
A Failure in Execution
However, Cole’s plan failed to materialize as Devers stole second base, putting himself in scoring position. Cole then walked Tyler O’Neal, putting runners on first and second with one out. The Red Sox capitalized on the situation, with Masataka Yoshida hitting a left-field RBI double and Willier Abreu following with a two-RBI single, making it 1-3.
The Consequences of the Intentional Walk
Cole’s intentional walk not only put Devers on base but also led to a crisis in the top of the fifth inning, with the bases loaded and one out. Cole eventually gave up a two-RBI single to right field, which further extended the Red Sox’s lead.
The Aftermath
After the game, Cole took responsibility for his mistake, saying, “It was clearly my mistake to choose an intentional walk in the fourth inning.” Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed regret, citing a lack of communication between Cole and the coaching staff. Austin Wells, the Yankees catcher, was also caught off guard by the intentional walk, stating that he didn’t know about Cole’s plan.
Devers’ Reaction
Devers, who was surprised by Cole’s decision, said, “I thought Cole was a little taken aback by the intentional walk.” He took advantage of the free pass, going on to score and contributing to the Red Sox’s runaway victory.
Takeaways from the Game
The game highlighted the importance of effective communication between pitchers, catchers, and coaching staff. It also underscored the risks of unconventional strategies, especially when they deviate from traditional baseball wisdom.
Keywords: Gerrit Cole, Rafael Devers, intentional walk, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, MLB, baseball strategy, pitching strategy, baseball news.
Meta Description: Gerrit Cole’s intentional walk to Rafael Devers in the 4th inning backfires as the Red Sox capitalize on the mistake, leading to a 7-1 Yankees loss. Read more about the game and the strategy behind Cole’s decision.
He continues his season.
In the 4th Inning of the Game Against Boston, with One Out and No Runners on Base, ‘Natural Enemy’ Devers Intentionally Threw Four Pitches
As the New York Yankees faced off against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 15, 2024, ace pitcher Gerrit Cole made a surprising move that would change the course of the game. With one out and no runners on base in the top of the fourth inning, Cole intentionally walked Rafael Devers, his “natural enemy,” with four pitches. But what prompted this unusual decision, and what were the consequences?
What Prompted Gerrit Cole to Intentionally Walk Rafael Devers During the Game?
Before the game, Devers had a remarkable track record against Cole, boasting a .333 batting average (13 hits in 39 at-bats) and 8 home runs. This led Cole to take a cautious approach, opting to put Devers on base with an intentional walk. While it’s not uncommon for pitchers to intentionally walk strong hitters, it’s unusual to do so with no runners on base.
Consequences of the Intentional Walk
Cole’s decision would ultimately prove to be a mistake. Devers, who reached base for “free,” promptly stole second base. Cole then walked Tyler O’Neal, putting runners on first and second with one out. The Red Sox capitalized on the opportunity, scoring three runs in the inning, including a left-field RBI double by Masataka Yoshida and a two-RBI single by Willier Abreu.
The Yankees never recovered, losing the game 7-1. Cole pitched 4⅓ innings, surrendering five hits, striking out two, walking three, and giving up seven runs, taking his fifth loss (6 wins) of the season.
Post-Game Reflections
In an interview with local reporters after the game, Cole explained, “I had a conversation with our catcher about how to approach Devers… I was trying to be too fine, and it backfired.” Cole acknowledged that his decision to intentionally walk Devers was a mistake, saying, “It’s not something I’m proud of. I’d like to take it back.”
Historical Context
According to MLB.com, Cole’s intentional walk with no runners on base in the fourth inning is the earliest by a Yankees pitcher. The previous earliest intentional walks with no runners on base after the start of a game were by Roy Sherrid in 1930 and Fritz Peterson in the sixth inning in 1970.
As the Yankees look to rebound from this loss, they’ll need to reassess their strategy and avoid similar mistakes in the future. For Cole, it’s a valuable learning experience, one that he’ll carry with him as
