Red Sox base-running blunders lead manager Alex Cora to second straight ejection

New York Times

3 hours ago

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Red Sox manager Alex Cora was ejected for a second consecutive game on Monday night, both times for arguing that calls were missed on baserunning blunders by his offense.
In the third inning of Boston's 9-5 loss to the Angels on Monday, Red Sox first baseman Abraham Toro grounded into an unconventional double play. Jarren Duran — on second base with no outs — bolted for third on Toro's ground ball to shortstop. Duran was thrown out in a run down. Toro broke for second base during the rundown, but was thrown out sliding into the bag.

Cora argued that Angels infielder Luis Rengifo obstructed the base before the ball reached his glove. However, after the umpires huddled to discuss the play, they confirmed their initial ruling.
Cora, incensed, was ejected seconds after exiting the dugout to argue.
'We felt that the runner, no matter what the fielder had done in that situation, the runner was out,' crew chief Alan Porter told a pool reporter after the game. 'He was out by a lot. And that's part of also not calling the obstruction.'
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In February of 2024, MLB provided an updated guidance to all umpires, requesting they enforce the rule prohibiting infielders from blocking the base before receiving the ball.
While Porter said that guidance was a factor in this determination, the rule was essentially moot, given how far Toro was from the bag at the time of any potential interference.

Cora and this crew have some history. In September of last season, Cora was ejected by the same umpiring crew when the same rule was utilized to overturn a safe call at second base, while Boston was in the field.
On that play, Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom was ruled to have impeded a base-runner on a pickoff attempt at second base.
'I was trying to make that point. It happened six months ago,' Cora said. 'Same situation. And it was reversed last year. Maybe he's right, he was going to be safe, but I wanted to make sure.'
On Monday, Cora might light contact with Porter while arguing. The umpire said that would be in his report filed to the league office.
Cora was also ejected on Sunday afternoon for arguing that Duran was safe at second, despite sliding off the base. Replay review determined that the call on the field stood, and Cora was ejected afterward.
The Red Sox issued 13 free bases on Monday, including four to bring in runs. They also made four outs on the bases, and committed an error that led to the Angels' game-winning run in the eighth inning.
(Photo; Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)