Chris Sale fuming at umpire after call doesn’t go his way (Video)

Chris Sale was able to escape the first inning with just one run allowed, but the Red Sox ace would’ve preferred to come out unscathed.

Sale gave up just one run, on one hit and a walk. It was far from a perfect inning, as at one point the Astros had two men on, but it could’ve been much, much worse.

The fiery lefty appeared furious at home plate umpire David Rackley, after he was denied a third strike call on left-handed hitter Michael Brantley. Brantley failed to deliver at the plate, eventually leaving a runner on base, but Sale wants every pitch.

The Astros would go on to score a run via a Yordan Alvarez sacrifice fly.

Red Sox: Alex Cora went bold by starting Chris Sale

Alex Cora had Nathan Eovaldi at his disposal, but instead started Sale, and not in an opener. Not only does this stop Eovaldi from throwing three times in the series, but it sets up Sale as Boston’s ace for the remainder of the series.

Should he falter, it’s likely Boston will as well.

Cora has been relatively flawless this postseason, so I won’t question him just yet. Sale hasn’t look himself much since his return, but Cora’s decision insinuates something clicked in a bullpen session.