What should have been a momentum-shifting moment for the Boston Red Sox quickly turned into controversy and chaos during Sunday’s rubber match against the San Francisco Giants.
Trailing 8-5 in the top of the eighth inning, Jarren Duran ripped a leadoff double down the right-field line. He slid headfirst into second base, appearing to beat the tag with a clean dive and maintain contact with the bag. But second-base umpire Doug Eddings saw it differently, ruling Duran out for briefly coming off the base.
Boston manager Alex Cora quickly challenged the call. Replay footage clearly showed Duran’s hand on the bag before Willy Adames applied the tag again. Yet, despite the apparent evidence, the call stood after a Crew Chief Review.
Watch the incident here:
The Giants went on to secure a 9-5 win, taking the series and sending the Red Sox home empty-handed. Red Sox fans were livid on social media, not only over the blown call but the stubbornness of the review system.
“The ego of these umpires will be why they’ll be replaced,” one fan wrote.
“Replay stinks,” another fan commented.
“Quite possible the worst 3 game stretch of umpiring we’ve ever seen in San Fran lol,” one X user replied.
“Replay has been terrible this year,” another user wrote.
“Mlb replay us a joke…Manfred is a disgrace,” another frustrated fan commented.
“Replay is a joke,” another angry fan wrote.
Jarren Duran Reacts To Ejection After Controversial Call
As soon as the call was confirmed, a furious Duran went to the umpire to show dissent and was ejected. Moments later, Alex Cora, who had come out to defend his player, was also tossed after a heated exchange with the umpiring crew.
Speaking postgame, Duran said, “I don’t really have an opinion on it. I saw what I saw, they saw what they saw. At the end of the day, I can’t change it.”
Meanwhile, Cora believes he is likely to be “in trouble” for arguing a reviewed play.
“I think he got thrown out because he voiced his opinion. I’ll be the one getting in trouble,” Cora said when asked whether Duran will face additional punishment.
The dejected Red Sox will look to regroup after the series loss as they prepare for a matchup against the Los Angeles Angels, starting Monday.
