Overview
- The Yankees lost 2-1 to the Dodgers after Gerrit Cole gave up a hanging-slider home run to Max Muncy in the seventh inning on Friday.
- Cole had produced six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts before issuing a leadoff walk to Mookie Betts and staying in to face Muncy.
- Manager Aaron Boone publicly said the choice to leave Cole in was his mistake and that he had planned to use left-hander Brent Headrick from the bullpen.
- Headrick, who was available and entered after Cole left, has a reported 1.52 ERA across 48 appearances this season, making him a strong lefty matchup for Muncy.
- The loss cost the team one game but not ground in the division because the Rays lost twice, yet reporters say the episode adds to ongoing scrutiny of Boone's late-game decisions and could increase pressure on his bullpen management.