Alex Cora was ejected for the second time this season Monday. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)Getty Images
Alex Cora didn’t see the end of the Red Sox’ marathon 10-8 loss to the Rays on Monday night after being ejected in the 11th inning.
With two men on and one out in a two-run game, Romy Gonzalez worked a full count against Ian Seymour, then took a 3-2 fastball that was low off the plate. It looked to be the fourth ball to Gonzalez, but home plate umpire Junior Valentine called it a strike. Gonzalez immediately argued the call and an incensed Cora came out of the dugout. He was ejected almost immediately, marking the second time this season he has been tossed (May 20).
“It was a ball. That pitch was a ball,” Cora said. “It was down. He was really good, actually, during the day. But it was down.”
After Gonzalez struck out, Ceddanne Rafaela ripped a first-pitch lineout to end the game. The loss came after a tense top of the 11th in which reliever Zack Kelly also had issues with Valentine’s zone.
With the bases loaded and the Rays leading by a run after a José Caballero sacrifice fly, Kelly thought he struck out Junior Caminero twice — on a low 2-2 sinker and a 3-2 cutter that landed outside. Kelly was not happy with Valentine’s zone and made it clear on both occasions.
All in all, it was a fiery night for many members of the Red Sox. Lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino, who allowed two earned runs in a third of an inning (that included a wild pitch and throwing error by the pitcher) angrily threw his glove and hat down the dugout steps after leaving the game in the top of the seventh.
The Red Sox were 4-for-23 with runners in scoring position and fell to 4-8 in extra-innings games this season.
