1:03 pm | July 24, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
Confusion reigned in the Boston Red Sox–Tampa Bay Rays game Wednesday when a series of defensive changes prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into Tampa Bay’s lineup after the designated hitter was removed.
The eighth-inning lineup switch appeared to leave the umpires bewildered, stopping the game for almost 15 minutes as they huddled on the mound, staring at their lineup cards.
“It was a total mess,” Cora said. In the top of the eighth, Rays reliever Adam Kolarek replaced starter Charlie Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.
Cora said the Rays kept the DH when they made the substitution.
“They had a pitcher at first base. They had a pitcher on the mound. And they still had the DH,” he said. “Hard to explain… there’s a lot. Illegal substitutions. But we’ll see what happens.”
After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers. An unhappy Cora again talked with the umpires after the third out, which delayed the start of the bottom of the eighth.
The Red Sox lost 3-2, falling back into third place in the AL East behind the Rays.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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