BOSTON — Tempers flared momentarily after the seventh inning of the Red Sox’ 7-3 win over the Astros on Saturday with benches — and the bullpens — both clearing.
Reliever Hector Neris appeared to direct some displeasure toward Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson after Carlos Narváez grounded out to shortstop to end the inning and after Hudson responded to an animated Neris, players and coaches poured out of both dugouts. The umpiring crew got between the teams as Astros first baseman Christian Walker held back Neris.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, incensed, walked toward Neris screaming. The incident happened seconds after Neris tried — at first, unsuccessfully — to intentionally balk so that Trevor Story would move from second to third base with two outs.
Cora didn’t want to discuss the incident postgame.
““You’ve gotta ask Neris,” he said repeatedly.
After reporters obliged, Neris wouldn’t budge, either.
“Nothing,” he said when asked what he said to Hudson. “It’s part of the game. Something funny.”
Neris’ attempt to balk over Story, who made it a four-run game with an RBI double, was clearly intentional. Asked after the game if it was, Astros manager Joe Espada responded: “What do you think?” Pitchers often balk over runners at second base to avoid having grips relayed to the hitter at home plate. Neris would not confirm that was his intention.
“Maybe yes, maybe no,“ he said when asked if he thought the Red Sox had his pitches. ”But just wanted to concentrate. In this situation, I don’t think about it. I want to do what I’m feeling right in the moment.
“Just wanted to feel better to concentrate on the guy at home plate. Just wanted to move on and keep on the guy on home plate, not worrying about him.
Story, who was 2-for-3 with a homer, double and three RBIs in Boston’s win, was just happy to take a free base.
“I’m not sure,” he said. “You’ll have to ask those guys. But I was walking back to the dugout and I just saw everyone kind of come out at that point. So you’ll have to ask them.
“If he wanted to balk me over, that’s fine. One step closer to home.”
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