In a surprising turn of events, New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole had a rough outing against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, resulting in the end of the Yankees' three-game winning streak. Cole gave up a season-high seven earned runs, leaving fans puzzled by his decision to intentionally walk Rafael Devers with one out and the bases empty.

The fourth inning proved to be a pivotal moment in the game. With the Yankees leading 1-0, Cole decided to put Devers on base, despite the odds being in his favor. Devers, who has had success against Cole in the past, took advantage of the opportunity and came around to score, kickstarting a productive inning for the Red Sox.

Until that point, Cole had been dominant, not allowing a hit to the Red Sox. However, things quickly unraveled as he finished his afternoon with seven runs surrendered on five hits and three walks. Struggling with his command, Cole only managed to strike out two of the 22 batters he faced.

This wasn't the first time Cole has had a disappointing performance this season. In his 15 starts, he has exited three games with two or fewer strikeouts. As for allowing seven or more earned runs, Saturday's start marked the eighth instance in his career. Ironically, his worst start in terms of earned runs occurred in April 2022 as a member of the Houston Astros, where he gave up nine runs (eight earned) against the Texas Rangers.

Despite Cole's recent struggles, he has been a valuable contributor to the Yankees. Prior to Saturday's game, he had a respectable 3.36 ERA and a 3.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 75 innings, earning him an estimated 1.7 Wins Above Replacement.

This disappointing outing comes after Cole's return from a stint on the injured list earlier this season due to nerve inflammation and edema in his right elbow. Additionally, he left a recent start due to calf cramps, which may have impacted his performance on Saturday.

The Yankees entered the game with an 86-62 record, holding a three-game lead in the competitive American League East division over the Baltimore Orioles. While this loss is a setback, the team will look to bounce back in the remaining games and maintain their position in the playoff race.

Overall, Gerrit Cole's struggle against the Red Sox highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball and serves as a reminder that even the most talented pitchers can have off-days. The Yankees will hope for a quick rebound from their ace as they continue their pursuit of a postseason berth.