NEW YORK — Before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox began a four-game series in the Bronx, Gerrit Cole was asked during Hispanic Heritage Media Day which current Latin hitter gave him the most trouble. He immediately answered with Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers.
Devers has dominated the matchup with Cole. Entering Saturday’s game, Devers was 13-for-39 with eight home runs and 18 RBIs in 43 career plate appearances against Cole. Apart from Devers, no opposing hitter has hit more than four home runs against Cole in his 12-year career.
“He’s one of the game’s really great hitters, so I think he’s a problem for a lot of people,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday’s game. “He’s definitely had Gerrit’s number over the years. Gerrit’s had some stretches where he’s had some success against him, too. He’s struck him out a good amount.
“There’s no question he’s hurt him a lot with the long ball. Gerrit will have a game plan. It comes down to execution. Rafi, at least to this point in their careers, has hit a lot of different pitches out against him and reached some different spots. We’ll be careful. If he goes out and executes, he’s got a chance to get him out.”
On Saturday, the Cole-Devers rivalry took a strange turn.
With one out, no one on base, and New York up 1-0 in the fourth inning, Cole intentionally walked Devers. It appeared as if Cole made the call to walk Devers himself as he stuck out four fingers and pointed to first base. Devers looked bewildered by the decision as he trotted to first base.
Before Cole decided to intentionally walk Devers, the Yankees’ ace was cruising. He had retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced; the only hitter who reached base was Devers, who was hit by a pitch in the first inning. But the game changed when Cole intentionally walked Devers.
Devers immediately stole second base, Tyler O’Neill worked a walk, and then Masataka Yoshida brought Devers home on a ground-rule double. Boston added two more runs after Wilyer Abreu’s two-run single, bringing their lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning. After the Devers intentional walk, 10 of 12 Red Sox hitters reached base.
In the fifth inning, Boston continued pouring it on as Cole struggled. In a fitting moment, Devers faced Cole with the bases loaded. He hit a two-run single, and then two batters later, Yoshida added a two-run single of his own. Cole’s day ended after 4 1/3 innings pitched.
Cole allowed a season-high seven earned runs on five hits, three walks, and three hit batsmen. It was a stunningly poor performance for Cole, who is projected as New York’s Game 1 starter in the postseason.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
