Red Sox manager Alex Cora ejected from ALCS Game 1 after disputed strike call

Yahoo Sports Contributor

Sun, Oct 14, 2018, 4:31 AM

Alex Cora added another first to his managerial résumé. A postseason ejection.

The Boston Red Sox skipper was ejected by home plate umpire James Hoye after a disputed strike three call that ended a Red Sox rally in their 7-2, ALCS Game 1 loss to the Houston Astros.

Alex Cora got ejected in Game 1 of the ALCS. Andrew Benintendi was rather unhappy after the called strike three to end the fifth, and Cora was run between innings.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 14, 2018

Cora was defending Andrew Benintendi, who was called out on a 3-2 pitch from Justin Verlander with the bases loaded.

According to objective viewers and pitch-tracking data, Hoye missed the call. The pitch was closer than it looked on television, but was still off the plate.

Benintendi strikes out looking and throws his helmet, bat and gloves. Coaches had to get him out of there.
He had a point: pic.twitter.com/TrUojgcGH6
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) October 14, 2018

Verlander, who had walked three and uncorked a wild pitch during the same inning, was given the benefit of the doubt. The Red Sox had rallied to tie the game with two runs in the inning. Had Hoye called that pitch a ball, Boston would have had the lead. Instead, the inning ended and the war of words began between Cora and the umpiring crew.

“I mean, I guess Verlander executed his pitch and he called it strike,” Cora said after the game. “Andrew didn’t agree. I didn’t agree. It’s a big pitch right there. It’s ball four, bases loaded. They got Pressly in the bullpen. Most likely Verlander comes out of the game.”

“But you can’t argue balls and strikes. And I did,” Cora added on his ejection. “It’s kind of like embarrassing that it happens in the playoffs. That wasn’t cool watching the game in the clubhouse. I got a job to do and manage the team in the dugout.”

What Cora saw from the clubhouse he surely didn’t like. Houston quickly retook the lead in the next inning and never looked back, scoring five unanswered runs.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora was ejected after disputing a questionable strike call during ALCS Game 1. (AP)

The Red Sox might be wondering where similar calls were for their own starter. Boston ace Chris Sale tied a season-high with four walks in his four innings. He didn’t appear to get many friendly corner pitches called in his favor. The Red Sox ended up issuing 10 walks and hitting three batters.

In defense of Hoye, he seemed to be consistent in not calling the outside corner for both sides. He just picked a really bad time to miss one. And the Red Sox let him know about it.