Cole’s strange walk sparks Red Sox rally against Yankees
- Gerrit Cole intentionally walked Rafael Devers with no one on base while attempting a no-hitter.
- This decision led to a three-run fourth inning for the Red Sox, turning the game in their favor.
- Cole's performance deteriorated, resulting in his early exit after allowing seven runs.
On Saturday, Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees made a surprising decision to intentionally walk Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox with no runners on base, despite being in the midst of a no-hit bid. This unusual strategy backfired, leading to a significant shift in momentum during the game. After the walk, the Red Sox capitalized on the opportunity, scoring three runs in the fourth inning, which marked the beginning of a rally against Cole. Cole had initially retired eight of the first nine batters he faced, but the walk to Devers proved to be a turning point. Following the walk, Devers stole second base, and Masataka Yoshida hit a double that tied the game at 1-1. The Red Sox continued to build on this momentum, with Wilyer Abreu contributing a two-run single that gave Boston a 3-1 lead. The fifth inning saw further damage inflicted on Cole, as the Red Sox scored four more runs. Devers added to his impact by hitting a two-run single, and Cole's struggles culminated in him allowing seven runs, the most he had given up in two years. He was ultimately removed from the game after just 4 1/3 innings, leaving the Yankees trailing 7-1. This game highlighted the risks associated with unconventional pitching strategies, particularly in high-stakes matchups like those between the Yankees and Red Sox. Cole's decision to walk Devers, who had a strong track record against him, not only affected his performance but also shifted the game's outcome significantly in favor of Boston.