Devers Crushes Two Homers Off Yankees, Red Sox in Awe

Rafael Devers once again proved to be a thorn in the Yankees’ side, delivering two spectacular home runs that left fans and players alike in astonishment. This recent performance adds another chapter to Devers’ storied rivalry with New York, reminiscent of his dramatic impact in past encounters.

Devers’ latest exploits are a continuation of his high-profile moments against the Yankees, recalling his dramatic homer off Aroldis Chapman on August 13, 2017. During that game, Devers hit a crucial home run on a 1-2 count against Chapman’s 103 mph fastball. This moment was particularly significant as it was Chapman’s first homer allowed since 2011 and only his second ever. The pitch, thrown during a high-pressure situation with the Yankees just two outs away from securing a one-run victory, was launched into the Boston bullpen. This dramatic event solidified Devers’ reputation and became a significant highlight in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.

Nearly seven years later, Devers continues to demonstrate his prowess. In a recent game, he hit two home runs off Yankees’ right-handers Luis Gil and Michael Tonkin. His first home run landed in the first row of the left field seats, while the second soared 423 feet into the Yankee bullpen in right-center. The second homer was particularly notable as it came off a pitch that was nearly two inches off the plate. Devers’ ability to connect with such a challenging pitch highlights his exceptional batting skills.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised Devers’ performance, emphasizing the impressive nature of both home runs. Cora remarked, “The first one was impressive. The second one, I saw the replay and I don’t know how you can do that. The pitch is way off the plate—and to barrel it is remarkable.” Cora’s comments reflect the awe and respect that Devers’ hitting ability commands.

Devers’ success against the Yankees is noteworthy. He has now hit 28 home runs against New York, with 21 of these coming since the start of the 2021 season. Notably, eight of these homers have been off Gerrit Cole. However, Cole’s performance was overshadowed by rookie Ben Rice’s three-home run game. Despite this, Cole acknowledged the reality of allowing home runs, stating, “As a pitcher, if you don’t want him to watch a home run and trot, then you probably shouldn’t give up a home run.”

The Yankees’ pitching staff continues to struggle against Devers, with Gil and Tonkin becoming the 15th and 16th Yankees pitchers to surrender a home run to him. Reflecting on his second homer, Devers commented, “The previous pitch was a fastball outside. I know he doesn’t like to pitch inside, so I was trying to make good contact. I know the ball was a little bit off the plate, but I was able to make good contact.” This insight into Devers’ approach reveals his strategic understanding of pitchers and their tendencies.

Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford expressed admiration for Devers’ ability to hit even difficult pitches. “You just always want to be on the top step when he’s in the box because you never know what can happen,” Crawford said. “That last at-bat, that ball was in the other batter’s box and he was able to take it 420 feet to right-center. He’s really talented, and I’m glad he’s on our team.” Crawford’s comments underscore Devers’ exceptional talent and the excitement he brings to the Red Sox lineup.

Historically, Devers is climbing the ranks among Red Sox players who have faced the Yankees. Ted Williams hit 62 homers against New York, Carl Yastrzemski hit 52, and David Ortiz also hit 52 after joining the Red Sox in 2003 when Devers was only seven years old. This historical context highlights Devers’ significant impact on the rivalry.

Manager Aaron Boone expressed frustration over Devers’ continued success, lamenting, “He’s definitely a guy that has performed incredibly well. Obviously a great player and we’d like to do a better job against him.” Boone’s frustration reflects the challenge Devers poses to the Yankees’ pitching staff.

The game, notable for its brisk pace even with the pitch clock, highlighted the Red Sox’s surprising performance this season and the Yankees’ ongoing struggles. The Yankees have now lost 15 of their last 20 games, with their pitching staff allowing 38 home runs during this stretch and posting a 6.19 ERA. This poor performance has contributed to their decline in the AL East standings.

This marks the 10th time under manager Aaron Boone that the Yankees have endured a stretch of 15 losses in 20 games in the past three seasons. For comparison, the Yankees had one such stretch under Joe Girardi in 2016 and two during a single season under Joe Torre in 2000. Boone’s expression of frustration, “Feels terrible. I mean, you’ve got to be a little sick to be in this game though. And you’ve got to be able to weather it,” underscores the challenges faced by the team during this difficult period.

Despite Boone’s optimism about overcoming their current slump, the Yankees’ continued struggles against Devers and their overall performance suggest a challenging road ahead. Devers remains a standout performer in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, and his continued success against New York is a testament to his exceptional batting skills and strategic acumen.