Xander Bogaerts is as cool, calm, and collected as any player in Major League Baseball. But during Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, a questionable called third strike put the Boston Red Sox shortstop over the edge.
Bogaerts took exception after being called out on a pitch just below the strike zone. He exchanged words with the home plate umpire and was quickly ejected from the game.
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora rushed to Bogaerts' defense and also was told to hit the showers, but he wouldn't leave the field without giving the umpire a mouthful.
Watch the sequence below:
Bogaerts' reaction is understandable given the circumstances. Down two runs with one on and two out, he had a chance to do damage against one of Boston's biggest threats in the American League Wild Card race. Instead, the at-bat was decided by a controversial call.
The Red Sox entered Friday's game five games out of a wild-card spot, two-and-a-half games behind the O's. They remain in last place in the AL East.