Yankees ace Gerrit Cole refused to face Rafael Devers on Saturday, which ended up hurting him in a 7-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Cole, who had previously hit Devers with a pitch, opted to intentionally walk him in the fourth inning with one out and no runners on base, while still pitching a no-hitter.
This act did not prevent the Red Sox from taking advantage and destroying Cole and the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 14, 2024.
stealing second base and scoring the tying run.
Gerrit Cole’s decision to intentionally walk Rafael Devers drew criticism from several sources, including Red Sox manager Alex Cora and pitcher Brayan Bello.
“It was intentional. I didn’t want to face him,” Cora said, noting that Cole hit Devers with a pitch in the previous at-bat, according to Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe.
Bello, who was the starter for Boston facing Cole, also criticized his counterpart for hitting Devers and then issuing the intentional walk.
“I don’t know what to tell you. (Cole) showed a lot of weakness with that move,” Bello said, according to McWilliams.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted after the game that New York had a game plan that included intentionally walking Devers in certain situations, but preferred Cole not to do so at the time.
“I should have been more demanding, saying, ‘Let’s face him right now,’” Boone said, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
Cole acknowledged after the game that giving away the free ticket was a mistake.
“Looking back, it was the wrong decision,” Cole said, according to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner.
Recently, on Hispanic Heritage Day, Cole admitted that Devers is the Latino hitter he has the hardest time retiring.
The former Cy Young Award winner completely fell apart after the intentional walk and was removed from the game in the fifth inning after allowing seven earned runs, five hits, three walks and three hit by pitches.
One of those hits came courtesy of Devers, who hit a two-run single to right field in the fifth inning off Cole.
Devers entered Saturday’s game with a .341/.438/.951 batting average, eight home runs and 19 RBIs in 41 career at-bats against Cole.
What led Gerrit Cole to intentionally walk Rafael Devers during the Yankees vs. Red Sox game?
Table of Contents
Gerrit Cole’s Intentional Walk of Rafael Devers Backfires in Yankees’ 7-1 Loss to Red Sox
In a stunning display of strategic misjudgment, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole’s decision to intentionally walk Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game ultimately contributed to a devastating 7-1 loss at Yankee Stadium. The move, which came with no runners on base and one out, was widely criticized by experts, players, and coaches alike, including Red Sox manager Alex Cora and pitcher Brayan Bello.
The Context: A History of Beanballs
The intentional walk was likely a response to Cole’s previous at-bat, in which he hit Devers with a pitch. This marked the second time Cole had hit Devers in recent meetings, leading many to speculate that the pitcher was trying to send a message to the Red Sox star. However, by issuing the free pass, Cole not only surrendered a base runner but also opened the door for the Red Sox to capitalize on the mistake.
The Fallout: Devers Steals Second and Scores
Devers, known for his aggressive base running, promptly stole second base and eventually scored the tying run, sparking a Red Sox rally that would ultimately result in seven unanswered runs. The Yankees, meanwhile, were left scratching their heads, wondering what might have been if Cole had simply faced Devers and trusted his stuff.
Criticism from All Corners
Red Sox manager Alex Cora was quick to call out Cole’s decision, stating, “It was intentional. I didn’t want to face him.” Cora’s sentiments were echoed by Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello, who said, “I don’t know what to tell you. [Cole] showed a lot of weakness with that move.” Even Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that the intentional walk was a mistake, admitting that he should have been more insistent that Cole face Devers in that situation.
Cole’s Mea Culpa
In the aftermath of the game, Cole took responsibility for his error, saying, ”Looking back, it was the wrong decision.” The ace pitcher’s rare admission of fault serves as a testament to the gravity of the mistake and the importance of trusting one’s abilities in high-pressure situations.
Takeaways and Implications
The intentional walk of Rafael Devers serves as a stark reminder that even the game’s best pitchers can make critical mistakes. As the MLB postseason approaches, the Yankees will need to regroup and reassess their strategy, lest they fall prey to similar missteps in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Red Sox, buoyed by their convincing win, will look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
In the world of baseball, where strategy and psychology play equal parts, the intentional walk of Rafael Devers will be remembered as a cautionary tale of what can happen when a pitcher’s confidence falters. As the old adage goes, “you can’t give away free bases,” and on Saturday, Gerrit Cole and the Yankees learned that lesson the hard way.
Keyword-rich phrases used in the article:
Gerrit Cole
Rafael Devers
Yankees vs Red Sox
MLB strategy
Baseball psychology
Postseason implications
Yankees manager Aaron Boone
Red Sox manager Alex Cora
Brayan Bello
MLB playoffs
Regular season finale
– What prompted Gerrit Cole to intentionally walk Rafael Devers during the game against the Red Sox?
Gerrit Cole’s Intentional Walk of Rafael Devers Backfires in Yankees’ 7-1 Loss to Red Sox
In a stunning display of strategic misjudgment, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole’s decision to intentionally walk Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game proved to be a costly mistake. The Yankees’ 7-1 loss to their arch-rivals at Yankee Stadium on September 14, 2024, was largely attributed to Cole’s decision to give Devers a free pass, which ultimately led to a collapse of the Yankees’ pitching staff.
A History of Success, But Fear of Devers
Gerrit Cole, a former Cy Young Award winner, has been known for his dominance on the mound. However, when it comes to facing Rafael Devers, Cole’s confidence seems to waver. Prior to Saturday’s game, Devers had a remarkable .341/.438/.951 batting average, eight home runs, and 19 RBIs in 41 career at-bats against Cole. This impressive record likely contributed to Cole’s decision to issue an intentional walk, hoping to avoid a potential big inning.
The Fateful Decision
With one out and no runners on base in the fourth inning, Cole deliberately walked Devers, despite pitching a no-hitter at the time. This decision drew criticism from both the Red Sox and the Yankees. Red Sox manager Alex Cora pointed out that Cole had hit Devers with a pitch in the previous at-bat, implying that the intentional walk was a sign of weakness. Cora’s sentiments were echoed by Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello, who stated that Cole’s move showed “a lot of weakness.”
Consequences of the Intentional Walk
The intentional walk proved to be a turning point in the game. Devers would go on to steal second base and eventually score the tying run, breaking the no-hitter. The Yankees’ pitching staff, including Cole, would eventually unravel, allowing seven earned runs, five hits, three walks, and three hit by pitches. One of those hits came courtesy of Devers himself, who delivered a two-run single to right field in the fifth inning off Cole.
Post-Game Reflections
After the game, Cole acknowledged that giving Devers a free pass was a mistake. “Looking back, it was the wrong decision,” Cole said, displaying a rare instance of self-doubt. Yankees manager Aaron Boone also admitted that the team’s game plan included intentionally walking Devers in certain situations, but preferred Cole not to do so at the time.
Lessons Learned
Gerrit Cole’s intentional walk of Rafael Devers serves as a reminder that even the best pitchers can make critical mistakes. Cole’s decision to avoid facing Devers highlighted his own insecurities and may have given the Red Sox the momentum they needed to mount a comeback. As the Yankees look to rebound from this loss, they will need to reassess their strategy and rely on their ace’s skills rather than resorting to intentional walks.
Keywords: Gerrit Cole, Rafael Devers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, intentional walk, MLB, baseball strategy.
