In an eventful showdown at Fenway Park on Saturday, Major League Baseball announced that it will not be suspending Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora after his post-game comments hinted at possible retaliatory measures. The league conducted an investigation following Cora's remarks, which suggested that the Red Sox had attempted to hit New York Yankees star Aaron Judge in response to Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole allegedly throwing at Rafael Devers intentionally.
The MLB inquiry found insufficient evidence to take any disciplinary action against Cora. The game itself was charged with the intensity and drama that has come to define the storied rivalry between the Red Sox and the Yankees.
Game Highlights and Tensions
The Red Sox ended the game with a decisive 7-1 victory. However, the tension was palpable from the outset. During the fourth inning, Gerrit Cole intentionally walked Devers, despite there being no baserunners and only one out at the time. This unusual move raised eyebrows and set the stage for the drama that would unfold.
“I felt like the first at-bat, he hit him on purpose. He doesn’t wanna face him, that’s the bottom line. He told us with the intentional walk that the first at-bat he hit him. We’ll leave it at that. After that, he had bases loaded and had to face him,” Cora said after the game.
Retaliation and Close Calls
The tension reached its peak in the sixth inning. Red Sox starter Brayan Bello threw a pitch that sailed behind Judge’s knees, narrowly missing the powerful hitter. This incident added fuel to the fire, heightening scrutiny and prompting MLB to step in.
“We took exception to [the hit by pitch] because it was loud and clear that he didn’t want to face him. It was intentional, I’m not gonna back off. It was intentional,” Cora stated firmly, echoing his belief that Cole’s earlier actions were deliberate.
Historical Context
The confrontation between Devers and Cole adds another chapter to their competitive history. Before Saturday’s game, Devers held an impressive .341 batting average against Cole, hitting eight home runs out of 41 at-bats, all between 2021 and 2024. Their last encounter on July 6 saw Devers homering during his third and final at-bat against Cole, further establishing Devers as a formidable opponent for the Yankees' ace.
Game Outcome
By the end of Saturday's game, Cole had been thoroughly overwhelmed by the Red Sox's offense, contributing to a resounding 7-1 loss for the Yankees. Cole's troubles on the mound were a stark contrast to the confidence displayed by the Boston lineup, which capitalized on every opportunity.
Future Implications
While the league's decision not to suspend Cora might calm immediate tensions, the intensity of this rivalry shows no signs of abating. The Red Sox's decisive victory serves as a potent reminder of the volatility and drama that can erupt any time these two teams meet.
“It was closed [Saturday] around the sixth inning. We had our chance. It didn’t happen,” Cora summed up, reflecting on the missed opportunities and the high stakes that come with every Red Sox-Yankees game.