Red Sox boss claims Yankees pitcher hit batter on purpose

Alex Cora didn’t mince words when discussing Gerrit Cole’s pitch that struck Rafael Devers during Wednesday’s game between the Red Sox and Yankees. The Boston manager accused Cole of intentionally hitting Devers, citing the Yankees ace’s impeccable control as evidence.

“He doesn’t miss by much,” Cora stated, implying that Cole’s errant pitch was no accident. The incident occurred in the first inning when Cole’s 99 mph fastball struck Devers on the left shoulder. Cora’s frustration was evident as he pointed out Cole’s reputation for pinpoint accuracy.

The tension between Cole and Devers has been building, with the Red Sox slugger finding considerable success against the Yankees’ star pitcher. Devers boasts a .303 average with six home runs against Cole, prompting speculation about the motivation behind the hit-by-pitch.

Cole, for his part, denied any intentional wrongdoing, expressing remorse for the incident. “I feel terrible about hitting Raffy,” he said, emphasizing that it was unintentional. Despite Cole’s apology, the incident fueled the already heated rivalry between the two teams.

The game concluded with a 6-0 victory for the Yankees, but the controversy surrounding Cole’s pitch overshadowed the result. As the season progresses, this incident will likely add another chapter to the storied Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, with fans and players alike watching closely for any further developments between Cole and Devers.