New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone took responsibility for allowing Gerrit Cole to face Max Muncy during Friday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With the Yankees ahead 1-0 in the seventh inning, Boone came to the mound to visit Cole after he allowed a leadoff walk to Mookie Betts. The skipper decided to let the right-hander face Muncy, who hit a towering two-run homer to plate the eventual game-winning run.
Max Muncy DESTROYS a 2-run shot to the second deck for a @Dodgers lead 😤 pic.twitter.com/j40oNhZ8r4
— MLB (@MLB) July 18, 2026
"I was feeling the situation out," Boone said when asked if he intended to take Cole out of the game during the mound visit, according to YES Network.
"Obviously in hindsight, I probably should have grabbed him there. He pitched so well and I felt like he was competitive in the Mookie at-bat and I felt like he had enough to get Max. He jumped out in front of him, but then got a mistake. I had (Brent) Headrick teed up there. That's on me."
Cole's night ended with a loss on his record despite him striking out eight over six innings.
"Sometimes you've got to take it out of their hands," Boone said.
