Red Sox

“This is as hot as he’s been all year.”

Alex Cora is held back by umpire Alan Porter during Sunday’s game. Winslow Townson/Getty Images

In the first inning of Sunday’s afternoon matchup with the Twins, Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t hold back as he let the umpires know exactly how he felt about a call.

With one out, Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta threw to second in an attempt to pick off Byron Buxton. Second baseman Vaughn Grissom tried to swiftly apply the tag, and in doing so, he dropped his right knee to the infield dirt.

Second-base umpire Dan Merzel, who was looking right at the play, initially called Buxton safe.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli argued that Grissom put his knee down. The umpires deliberated and ruled that Buxton should move to third due to interference.

Cora merged from the dugout and went straight for umpire Alan Porter to plead his case. Porter wasn’t having it. Then Cora’s anger intensified, as he called out Merzel, sprinted toward second base, pointed to his eyes, and pointed at the base.

“This is as hot as he’s been all year,” NESN announcer Dave O’Brien said.

Announcer Lou Merloni believed Cora was arguing that the second-base umpire shouldn’t have let others influence his decision. If the call was made, the call should stay.

Cora charged at Merzel, causing Porter to restrain him. Safe to say, he was ejected.

Perhaps his message resonated, as the Red Sox built a commanding 6-0 lead through three.

This was his third ejection of the season. He’s eligible to manage Game 2 on Sunday.

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