BOSTON — John Farrell’s really not going down without a fight.
The Red Sox manager was ejected in the bottom of the second inning of ALDS Game 4 Monday by home plate umpire Mark Wegner, arguing balls and strikes after Dustin Pedroia was the second Sox hitter to go down looking with the bases loaded.
The Sox loaded the bases with none out down 2-1 against Astros righty Charlie Morton. Morton got Jackie Bradley Jr. looking on a 2-and-2 curveball that may have been inside. Bradley, typically a quiet type when it comes to balls and strikes, said something as he walked away.
Pedroia, never a quiet type, went ballistic when Wegner rung him up as well — on another 2-2 curveball that may have been inside. Pedroia, unrelenting as Wegner tried to walk away, needed Farrell to separate the two of them. Farrell, smartly, took over the arguing and got himself run from the game.
Wegner was disciplined not to throw out Pedroia. The second baseman has a right to argue but ultimately lost control at a time the Sox cannot afford to lose him.
Here's the location of the pitch Pedroia objected to, via MLB.com's Game Day and The Boston Globe's Alex Speier:
The Sox, facing elimination, did not score in the inning, and Pedroia finished the at-bat 2-for-13 in the series.
It's the second postseason ejection for Farrell. As Red Sox pitching coach, he was ejected from an ALCS game against Tampa Bay in 2008.
Boston Red Sox
Bench Gary DiSarcina took over the managerial duties after Farrell's ejection, with Farrell no doubt lurking in the clubhouse.