When Kevin Gausman hit Xander Bogaerts with a 77-mph curveball in tonight's second inning, it seemed no one in either dugout believed it was intentional. But all around the infield, the umpire crew was already on edge, knowing the recent history between these two teams. Crew chief Sam Holbrook was behind home plate, and he acted immiediately, ejecting Gausmen to the surprise of the Red Sox and to the fiery frustration of the Orioles.
Here's what each side had to say about the decision:
Home plate umpire Sam Holbrook
“Just given the situation and the tension between the two clubs and all the stuff that’s gone over the past few weeks, we’re all on high alert with anything.