By the seventh inning of the Red Sox’ 8-3 win over the Blue Jays Tuesday night, Rick Porcello was cruising through his best start in weeks.
Then things got weirdly tense.
With one out, Porcello had a a 1-and-0 count against Toronto’s Russell Martin. Just as Porcello started his windup, Martin called for time, and it was granted by plate umpire Vic Carapazza.
On the very next pitch, Porcello hit Martin with an 89-mile-per-hour fastball. Words and stares were exchanged as Martin made the slow walk to first base. After the game, Porcello said he wasn’t particularly bothered by Martin calling time.