Red Sox
In the primary inning of Sunday afternoon's game against the Twins, Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn't hold back as he told the umpires exactly what he considered a call.
With one out, Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta threw to second base to field Byron Buxton. Second baseman Vaughn Grissom attempted to quickly tag the ball and fell to the infield ground along with his right knee.
Second base umpire Dan Merzel, who had been watching the sport closely, initially declared Buxton protected.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli argued that Grissom had pressed his knee to the bottom. The umpires deliberated and ruled that Buxton should move to 3rd base because of interference.
Cora got here out of the dugout and went straight to umpire Alan Porter to make his case. Porter was not convinced. Then Cora's anger escalated as he challenged Merzel, sprinting to second base, pointing at his eyes and gesturing toward the bottom.
“He hasn't been this good all year,” said NESN spokesman Dave O'Brien.
Announcer Lou Merloni believed Cora was arguing that the second base umpire mustn’t have allowed others to influence his decision. Once the choice was made, it should stand.
Cora charged at Merzel, so Porter held him back. It's protected to say he was thrown out.
Perhaps his message got across, since the Red Sox built up a convincing 6-0 lead in three innings.
This was his third ejection of the season. He is eligible to referee Game 2 on Sunday.
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