Cora protests Rays sport: Late subs a ‘complete mess’

Confusion reigned within the Crimson Sox-Rays sport Wednesday when a sequence of defensive modifications prompted Boston supervisor Alex Cora to protest the sport, as a result of placement of subs into Tampa Bay’s lineup after the designated hitter was eliminated.

The eighth-inning lineup swap appeared to go away the umpires bewildered in St. Petersburg, Florida. They stopped the sport for nearly 15 minutes as they huddled on the mound, looking at their lineup playing cards.

“It was a complete mess,” Cora stated.

Within the high of the eighth inning, Rays reliever Adam Kolarek changed starter Charlie Morton and retired pinch hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays supervisor Kevin Money introduced in reliever Chaz Roe, who induced a fly ball from Mookie Betts.

“When he introduced within the lefty and we noticed what was going to occur, when he put him at first I requested [crew chief] Angel [Hernandez] about it and he gave me a solution,” Cora stated. “I am like, ‘OK, that is about to get attention-grabbing.’ And it did.”

Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora expressed his displeasure to the umpires over a lineup change by the Rays within the eighth inning. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports activities

Cora stated the Rays saved the DH after they made the substitution.

“They’d a pitcher at first base. They’d a pitcher on the mound. They usually nonetheless had the DH,” he stated. “Onerous to elucidate. … There’s lots. Unlawful substitutions. However we’ll see what occurs.”

After the protest was made and the sport resumed, Kolarek acquired a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.

Hernandez stated within the pool report that Money by no means specified the place Kolarek would hit when moved to first base. He stated there’s a rule that states in such a case it’s on the umpire’s discretion to position a hitter in his spot within the lineup.

An sad Cora once more talked with the umpires after the third out, which delayed the beginning of the underside of the eighth.

The Crimson Sox misplaced Three-2, falling again into third place within the AL East behind the first-place Yankees and Rays.

The Related Press contributed to this report.