Red Sox’s Carlos Narváez Confused By Back-To-Back Blunders

Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez made costly mistakes on back-to-back nights at Citizens Bank Park.

Narváez, who was called for catcher’s interference on the final play of Monday’s walk-off loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, got hit with the same infraction just one night later, leading to what would ultimately be the deciding run in a second consecutive loss.

It’s been a brutal stretch, which has left the rookie catcher with more questions than answers.

“It was completely weird,” Narváez said on Tuesday, as seen on NESN. “I didn’t know that rule. I just went out, tried to catch the ball and tag. I don’t know, because the hitter stepped off, so it’s not like he stayed in the box — which probably would have been catcher’s interference… I was arguing with (the umpire) because I knew I didn’t cover the plate.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen that in my life… Two weird plays in two straight nights. Not a fun spot to be in.”

Narváez’s first infraction was called after his glove interfered with the check swing of Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa, which is the most common application of the admittedly rarely invoked rule. Narváez’s second infraction was totally different, as he was penalized for stepping in front of home plate before the completion of a pitch — looking to position himself as Bryce Harper looked to steal home plate.

You can find the first interference call here, and the second here.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t have much of an argument after being informed of the rule by umpires, which goes with him response to the original infraction just one night prior. Harper also happened to be safe on the slide, anyway, which might have influenced the reaction.