There is only one word to describe Tuesday night’s proceedings between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.
Wacky.
Alex Verdugo played the hero, as his walk-off single pushed the Red Sox back to .500 and sent Fenway Park into a frenzy. Well, for a short time, as Twins manager Rocco Baldelli wanted to make sure his night was over by having the play reviewed. That’s when the light show stopped, players just started standing around and umpires went to their ear pieces to check on the validity of Verdugo’s hit.
Oh, it was fair? Cue the light show!
It was a funky game, which Red Sox manager Alex Cora had some fun with toward the very end.
“Every time we hit a ball down the right field line we all yell, ‘Pesky!’ ” Cora explained, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “This one kind of stayed true, like a golf shot. You thought it was going to be foul then you saw (Twins right fielder Max Kepler) running and they made a call.
“Then we called (Red Sox director of baseball systems Mike Ganley) right away. He’s like, ‘Fair ball.’ Then we call again. He’s like, ‘Fair ball!’ Then we call again and he’s screaming, ‘It’s a fair ball! Game over! Trust me!’ “
That wasn’t the only goofy thing to happen, however. The Red Sox were also involved in another catcher’s interference, but declined to accept it this time as it benefitted them to take the ball in play, there was a pair of ducks who decided to make an appearance in the outfield grass, Kiké Hernández struck out before going on to score the game-tying run just two batters later and Kutter Crawford (yes, that Kutter Crawford) pinch ran and scored in the extra frame.
It was an even crazier night at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark than the day prior, which we’re sure Cora would argue.
