With the Boston Red Sox facing tough odds for a postseason spot, manager Alex Cora let out some frustration during Sunday’s doubleheader opener against the Minnesota Twins.
In the top of the first inning, Cora calmly approached the umpires after an obstruction call at second base. However, the situation quickly escalated with Cora gesturing wildly and running out to the base, vehemently arguing with second base umpire Dan Merzel. Third base umpire Alan Porter had to intervene to restrain Cora, who was subsequently ejected from the game.
Alex Cora was NOT happy with a call getting changed after Rocco Baldelli’s pleading 😬 pic.twitter.com/T8vaBnSiIC
— NESN (@NESN) September 22, 2024
The controversy stemmed from a play involving Byron Buxton on second base. A throw by Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta was received by second baseman Vaughn Grissom, whose knee inadvertently obstructed the base, leading to the umpires moving the runner to third.
Cora expressed dissatisfaction with the umpiring decision, particularly questioning why the call was made by Porter instead of Merzel, who was closer to the play. He also took issue with the fact that it required intervention from Twins manager Rocco Baldelli for the correct call to be made, as the umpires initially missed the obstruction.
After the game, Cora stated, “He blocked the bag. He did. But, the whole mechanism, I didn’t like. It took (the Twins) to argue. And then Alan, called time to get together. They got the call, right, but you’re right there. Just call it. It’s a lot easier that way. And I took exception and I got thrown out.”
Despite the controversy, Pivetta managed to escape the inning unscathed, and the Red Sox went on to secure an 8-1 victory over the Twins.
This marks Cora’s third ejection of the season, but he will be eligible to manage the second game of the doubleheader later in the day.
(Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images)
