Boston Red Sox capitalize on Cole's surprising move, scoring seven runs and knocking him out of the game in a crucial AL East matchup.
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New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has emerged as Rafael Devers' nemesis, with the Red Sox slugger consistently tormenting the right-hander. However, on Saturday afternoon, Cole's attempt to avoid a matchup with Devers via an intentional walk backfired spectacularly.
Intentional Walk Backfires as Yankees' Gerrit Cole Falters, Suffers Early Exit
With the Yankees leading 1-0 in the fourth inning and Cole cruising, the decision to intentionally walk Devers with no one on base stunned the crowd at Yankee Stadium. The move seemed uncharacteristic of the competitive ace, who had not issued an intentional walk in seven years.
The Red Sox pounced on the opportunity, with Masataka Yoshida's RBI ground-rule double scoring Devers and opening the floodgates. Wilyer Abreu added two more runs with a single, and the Red Sox continued to pour it on in the top of the fifth inning.
Intentional Walk Backfires as Yankees' Gerrit Cole Falters, Suffers Early Exit
Cole hit a career-high three batters and surrendered the most runs in an outing since June 9, 2022. Devers himself exacted a measure of revenge, knocking in two runners with a rope to right-center field.
After the game, Cole acknowledged the error in his decision. "I think, looking back, it's the wrong move," he said.
Intentional Walk Backfires as Yankees' Gerrit Cole Falters, Suffers Early Exit
Yankees manager Aaron Boone took responsibility for the miscommunication that led to the intentional walk, stating that he had not communicated his preference to attack Devers effectively.
The Red Sox's offensive outburst proved pivotal in the AL East race, as they pulled within 3.5 games of the final American League wild-card slot.
Cole's performance, meanwhile, raised questions about his consistency and whether he could be relied upon in high-stakes situations. The Yankees' ace had previously dominated the Red Sox, but his inability to contain Devers on this occasion could have ramifications for the team's playoff aspirations.
As the AL East race intensifies, the Red Sox's victory and Cole's struggles have injected a new level of drama into the final stretch of the regular season.
