Aaron Judge Responds To Alex Cora’s Candid Retaliation Remark

Alex Cora was quick to turn the page after the Red Sox and the Yankees shared the field for a very heated contest Saturday afternoon.

Aaron Judge took the same approach.

Tensions started to build between the longtime rivals in the first inning when Gerrit Cole hit Rafael Devers, which Cora thought was intentional. Boston's manager addressed the incident again Sunday afternoon and argued the matter was closed in the sixth frame when the visitors "had their chance" to respond but didn't execute. Cora seemingly was referring to Brayan Bello throwing behind -- but not hitting -- Judge.

Aaron Boone chose not to address Cora's blunt comment, as intentional beanings are "not allowed" in Major League Baseball. Judge didn't avoid the situation, but he didn't express any frustration either.

"Things like that happen," Judge told reporters, per The Boston Globe. "I know they're upset. I think three other guys got it that day, and I think they're just protecting their players. So something's got to happen and that's the way this game kind of gets policed and has been policed for 100 years. So the biggest thing is don't miss when you do it."

The series finale in the Bronx was bereft of theatrics, but Judge and the Yankees nonetheless earned the last laugh with a 5-2 win Sunday. Not only did the Bronx Bombers claim the final regular-season series between the foes, but they also decreased the likelihood of the Red Sox reaching the playoffs.

Boston, now 4 1/2 games back of the final American League wild-card spot, has 12 games left on its slate.