Boone Second-Guesses Call to Keep Cole in Game as Muncy’s Homer Delivers Dodgers Victory

New York held a one-run advantage entering the seventh inning Friday when Gerrit Cole allowed Los Angeles leadoff hitter Mookie Betts to reach base on a walk. Manager Aaron Boone made the trek to the mound for a discussion with his star pitcher, ultimately deciding against bringing in a reliever from the bullpen. The decision would prove costly within moments.

Max Muncy connected on a hanging slider that soared into the right-field upper deck, propelling the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory in their first visit to Yankee Stadium since capturing back-to-back World Series titles in 2024. Boone later expressed second thoughts about his managerial judgment, acknowledging the mistake during his postgame remarks. The loss extended New York’s struggles in the absence of injured star Aaron Judge.

Cole had delivered an outstanding performance through six innings, his 10th outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May. The right-hander permitted just three hits, recorded eight strikeouts, and held Los Angeles scoreless. The Yankees broke through against Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki in the fourth inning, scoring an unearned run to take their lead.

Jasson Domínguez doubled off Sasaki to begin the scoring sequence, then advanced to third when Los Angeles center fielder Andy Pages mishandled the ball. A passed ball by catcher Dalton Rushing brought Domínguez home with what would prove to be the game-tying run. The play set up Muncy’s heroic moment in the seventh.

Boone emphasized he relied on assessing Cole’s confidence and body language rather than following a predetermined pitching strategy. The manager said he gauged his pitcher’s demeanor as he approached the mound to determine whether to stay or go. “You’re reading body language. You’re reading conversation,” Boone explained during his postgame conference.

Cole expressed confidence in his ability to retire Muncy when Boone asked the question. The 35-year-old right-hander said his manager gave him the opportunity to complete the task, and Cole accepted without hesitation, believing the matchup favored him. His assessment would prove incorrect.

The at-bat featured several critical moments that shaped its outcome. Cole established an 0-2 count before Muncy fouled off a changeup. A subsequent slider appeared to Cole to be in the strike zone, but the umpire called it a ball, keeping Muncy alive.

The Los Angeles slugger continued to battle, fouling off another slider before taking a fastball outside the zone. On Cole’s 103rd pitch, Muncy connected on a fastball he was looking for and sent it 416 feet into the second deck. Cole showed little reaction to the blow, glancing upward briefly before slapping his glove with his open hand.

Cole conceded the pitch placement could have been better but credited Muncy’s execution rather than his own error. The pitcher said Muncy’s swing was exceptional and that the pitch’s location didn’t give Cole a fighting chance. Muncy declined to speak with reporters following the game.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the difficulty of Boone’s decision to keep Cole on the mound. Roberts noted that Muncy had fouled off several quality pitches before taking advantage of what Cole left in the zone. “It was a tough decision for Boonie,” Roberts said.

The victory pushed Los Angeles to 62-36, the best record in Major League Baseball. The Yankees fell to 54-43 after the loss. Judge’s rib injury has significantly impacted New York’s performance, with the club posting an 18-20 record in games without its star outfielder.

The Dodgers’ last appearance in the Bronx came during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, which Los Angeles won to secure the franchise championship. Cole had surrendered a five-run lead in that contest, allowing the Dodgers to win 7-6 and clinch the title.

Los Angeles made a defensive highlight in the eighth inning when Andy Pages and Mookie Betts combined to retire Trent Grisham attempting to score from first on a Ben Rice double. Pages barehand-fielded the baseball and threw to Betts, who turned with his back toward home plate before relaying to Rushing for the out.

Grisham attributed his aggressive baserunning to adjustments he made for his lingering hamstring injury. The outfielder, who returned July 3 from a right hamstring strain, said the injury affected his decision-making on the bases as he moved up on Rice’s hit and tempered his speed accordingly.