Cole intentionally walks Devers with no one on base, and decision backfires

NEW YORK -- Gerrit Cole stepped off the mound, flashing four fingers and pointing Rafael Devers toward first base. After years of being hit hard by the Red Sox slugger, the Yankees ace was ready to try a different strategy.

Cole walked Devers intentionally with the bases empty and one out in the fourth inning on Saturday, an unorthodox nod of respect between the rivals. The decision backfired for Cole and the Yankees, setting up a three-run Boston inning.

After the free pass, Devers promptly stole second base. Cole walked the next batter, Tyler O’Neill, then surrendered a run-scoring Masataka Yoshida double and a two-run Wilyer Abreu single. The Yankees had a one-run lead coming into the inning, and walked off the field trailing 3-1.

It was the earliest bases-empty intentional walk issued by the Yankees on record, according to the YES Network. Two were issued in the sixth inning: Al Simmons in 1930 (by Roy Sherid) and Frank Howard in 1970 (by Fritz Peterson)

The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, Cole has not been shy about his struggles against Devers, who came into Saturday’s action with 14 hits in 41 at-bats (.341) and eight home runs lifetime off Cole. Those eight homers are the most against any opponent for both Cole and Devers.

In a press conference at Yankee Stadium earlier this week honoring Hispanic Heritage Day, Cole was asked which Latin hitter has given him the most trouble in his career. He did not hesitate: "Rafael Devers."

“He’s one of the game’s really great hitters, so I think he’s a problem for lot of people,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Saturday's game. “But 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. But there’s no question, he’s hurt him a lot over the long haul.”

The timing of the free pass was made more unusual because Cole had cruised through the first three innings, permitting only one baserunner – a first-inning hit-by-pitch of Devers. As the inning concluded, Boone followed Cole down into the clubhouse, where they likely discussed the strategy behind the move.

Devers added more to his ledger in the fifth, stroking a two-run single off Cole. That hit came with the bases loaded; no room to intentionally walk his nemesis that time.