“Yeah, it was closed yesterday, like in the sixth inning,” Cora said. “So, you know, we had our chance. It didn’t happen and we have to move on.”

Cora spoke to both managers Aaron Boone and Judge followed the game on the phone after Saturday’s game and described his conversation with Judge as professional.

“That’s why he’s the captain of the Yankees,” Cora said. “It means a lot.”

The Sox manager explained his own point of view to Boone, a good friend of Cora.

“We’ve talked about it and there are two ways of looking at it,” Cora added. “Your team bench and our team bench. And as I told him, put yourself in our shoes and you’ll understand why we think that way.”

Devers has dominated Cole throughout, a fact Cole recently admitted. In 46 career batting appearances, Devers has a .350/.435/.975 line with a 1.410 OPS and eight home runs.

At first, the Sox weren’t sure if Cole was going to do it, but when Cole decided to walk Devers with one out and no baseman in the fourth inning, Cora’s suspicions were confirmed.

“I wasn’t surprised at all because I felt like he hit him on purpose in the first at-bat. He didn’t want to face him. That’s the bottom line. He told us he hit him on purpose in the first at-bat when he walked him on purpose. We’ll leave it at that. We objected to that because it was loud and clear that he didn’t want to face him. Now, after the intentional walk, we thought, ‘OK, that’s what happened.'”

When Boone learned that Cora admitted to intentionally targeting Judge, he naturally protected his player.

“Yeah, that’s not allowed,” Boone said. “So someone else has to deal with that. We’re not playing with them anymore. We’re on our way to Seattle. Of course you can’t do that.”

Judge, however, struck a different tone, apparently understanding why he was being targeted.

“I’ve been playing this game for a while,” the Yankees captain said. “It happens. I know they’re upset. I think three other guys got hit that day, and I think they’re just protecting their players. So something has to happen, and that’s how this game is policed, and it’s been that way for 100 years. So the most important thing is that you don’t miss when you do.”

Devers returned the favor this Saturday by hitting a two-run single against Cole in the fifth inning. Judge also responded, hitting a two-run homer to center field in the final game of the series on Sunday. Cutter Crawford.

Ready for rays

The Red Sox will play a three-game series against the Rays in Tampa on Tuesday. Here are your likely starters Nick Pivetta Comparisons Shane Baz; Tanner Houck (who is struggling with shoulder fatigue but is still expected to start) vs. Ryan Pepiot; to be announced vs. Zack Littell. The Rays (73-77) are in a similar position to the Red Sox (75-75), both underdogs hoping to clinch a playoff spot. Tampa Bay is 4-6 in its last 10 games, most recently splitting a four-game set against the Guardians. . . Former Sox first-round pick Nick Yorkewho was traded to the Pirates at the deadline, made his major league debut for Pittsburgh on Monday, batting seventh and playing second base. Yorke hit .355/.431/.507 with an OPS of .938 in 40 games for Triple A Indianapolis . . . Catcher Tyler Heinemanwhom the Sox had recently designated for transfer, was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays on Monday.

You can reach Julian McWilliams at [email protected]. Follow him @vonJulianMack.