Walker Buehler and Alex Cora didn’t last very long on Tuesday at Fenway Park.
The Boston Red Sox starter and manager were tossed from their game against the New York Mets after they erupted at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook over what looked like a clear strike.
When Estabrook called it a ball in the third inning, Buehler lost it. He could be seen mouthing a very clear “F*** you” at Estabrook, who quickly threw him out of the game. Cora then came out and engaged with Estabrook. Following a little back-and-forth, Estabrook threw Cora out of the game, too.
The ejection was the 18th of Cora’s career. It was Buehler’s second, both of which have come against the Mets. Tuesday was also Buehler’s comeback start after he spent time on the injured list due to a right shoulder injury.
The Red Sox won 2-0 after six relievers picked up the slack and limited the Mets to four hits.
It’s easy to see why both Cora and Buehler were tossed from the game, considering their reactions. But the pitch in question — the second one thrown to Juan Soto during that at-bat — should have been called a strike. Even the broadcasters picked up on the mistake in real time.
Brennan Bernardino came in to replace Buehler to finish the inning. He threw two more balls and walked Soto.
“It was weird; they were going back and forth,” Cora said of the exchange between Buehler and Estabrook, via ESPN. “I don’t know what the exchange was, but I’ve been at this for a few years, and I was just begging, ‘Just give me a break. I’ll go out and you can throw me out, and we can keep the pitcher in the game.’ But I guess he had enough. I don’t know why.”
The Red Sox entered Tuesday’s contest with a 24-25 record. They have won three of their past four, including a 3-1 win over the Mets on Monday. Cora missed that game due to his daughter’s college graduation ceremony.
The Mets (29-20) have lost five of their past six.
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