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Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Sends Five-Word Message to Umpires Amid Poor Call

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 2:15 PM ET

After the Boston Red Sox lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, there was a lot of frustration. It was an extra-inning thriller, but the Red Sox fell to the Rays after a terrible call had a huge impact on the game.

Late in the game, the Red Sox were in a precarious situation. With runners on first and second, and one out, in a two-run game, Romy Gonzalez watched a low pitch go by and began his trot to first for the walk.

However, despite the pitch being below the strike zone on the TV broadcast, home plate umpire Junior Valentine called it a strike. Gonzalez was out, Cora was heated, and shortly thereafter was ejected.

"It was a ball. That pitch was a ball. It was down. He was really good, actually, during the day... it was down."

Alex Cora on the called third strike against Romy González in the 11th inning that led to his ejection. pic.twitter.com/Lvy6UTNK8s
— NESN (@NESN) June 10, 2025

After the game, Cora called out the umpires for their poor strike-three call. "It was a ball," Cora said. "That pitch was a ball. It was down. He (Valentine) was really good, actually, during the day. But it was down."

A huge reason why that pitch was especially frustrating was in the prior half-inning, in the top of the 11th, Red Sox reliever Zack Kelly threw a pitch in the same area, and it was called a ball.

The Rays benefitted both times from Valentine's decision, and while not the sole reason for the Red Sox's loss, it was a huge part in the outcome of the game. Despite the high energy from Roman Anthony's MLB debut, the Red Sox fell to the Rays in a tough loss following a bad call from the umpire.

Cora's message wasn't too inflammatory. While he called out Valentine for the missed call, he also complimented him for his performance throughout the previous ten innings.

With how umpires aren't afraid of holding a grudge against players, teams, and managers, Cora's praise of Valentine isn't out of the ordinary. Instead of blasting Valentine, his complaint was a reasonable one, expressed clearly and respectfully.

The Red Sox will not have to see Valentine behind the plate again in the series against the Rays, but will look to rebound from a crushing extra-inning loss to the Rays.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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