Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole's odd intentional walk to Rafael Devers still fueling Red Sox

NEW YORK – Gerrit Cole’s oddly timed Saturday afternoon intentional walk of Rafael Devers sparked momentum in the Boston Red Sox, who were still feeling a boost on Sunday morning.

If the Red Sox somehow make the playoffs, “we’re going to look back at (Saturday) and probably going to thank Gerrit Cole to get us going,’’ said manager Alex Cora of Boston’s 7-1 win.

“And hopefully, that happens, hopefully we can face him in the playoffs, because he would have to pitch (to Devers),’’ said Cora, whose club began Sunday 3.5 games out of a wild card spot.

"We still have a long ways (to go), I’m not promising we’re going to make the playoffs,'' said Cora. "But if we do, I think everybody’s going to look back at Saturday.''

Aaron Boone on a failure to communicate

A day after that bizarrely timed intentional walk to Devers – with Cole cruising into the fourth inning, leading 1-0 with one out - Aaron Boone took the blame.

It was a failure to communicate, according to the Yankees manager.

“I pride myself on communicating at a very high level. (Saturday) we didn’t do it well enough and that falls on me,’’ said Boone, who called it a gray area that needs to be covered.

“Ultimately that falls on me to make sure we’re buttoned up in that sense all the time.’’

Boone said the Yanks had discussed a pregame plan to avoid Devers in certain situations, based on the Boston slugger’s history of success against Cole (.333 in 39 at-bats with 8 homers entering Saturday).

Cole said he “stuck with the plan) by passing Devers in that spot, which fueled a three-run Boston rally.

“If I make pitches, the plan works,’’ Cole said after Saturday’s game. “I need to make better pitches in order for it to work.

“Looking back, it’s the wrong move.’’

Yankees catcher Austin Wells "caught off guard''

In the moment, Yankees rookie catcher Austin Wells said he was “a little bit caught off guard’’ when Cole held up four fingers and pointed Devers to first base.

“I didn’t know if that was in the plans,’’ said Wells on Saturday, adding that it “definitely felt like it got them going.’’

In hindsight, “I think we both agreed that going after (Devers) was probably a better idea,’’ said Wells.

Boone said Saturday that once the Yanks were up 1-0, “my preference would have been let’s attack (Devers), but obviously I didn’t communicate that well enough, and I think Gerrit was a little indecisive out there and rolled with it.’’

Asked Sunday about Wells being out of the loop regarding Cole’s fourth inning strategy with Devers, Boone said: “I don’t think a catcher is really ever involved in an intentional walk scenario.

“Austin’s game planning is involved on how we’re attacking (hitters), which pitches he’s calling. A lot of times those are in the moment decisions that happen from the dugout.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole's odd intentional walk to Rafael Devers still fueling Red Sox