Red Sox: What Alex Cora, Nick Pivetta said about Laz Diaz and awful Game 4 umpiring
A missed strike in Game 4 between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox prevented a Red Sox victory: something that Alex Cora and others were unhappy about.
The ALCS could have been all wrapped up by Game 4 had it not been for Laz Diaz.
According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, the home-plate umpire missed 21 strike balls in Game 4 between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros. It was the most missed calls by any umpire this season.
"A lot of people thought it was a strike"-Alex Cora on Home plate umpire Laz Diaz's call in the 9th with two outs, two strikes. https://t.co/zMSZ6UBX0w
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) October 20, 2021
The reason that Diaz’ calls have come under fire is because one missed strike call in the eight inning cost the Red Sox the third win they needed to clinch the series. The Red Sox and Astros were tied 2-2 before the ninth inning, when the Astros exploded with seven runs to claim a 9-2 victory that kept them in the series.
If Diaz hadn’t missed that Eovaldi curveball, the Red Sox would have closed the ninth out. The Sox had two strikes and two outs before that pitch was missed.
Red Sox management unhappy with Laz Diaz missed strike call
Red Sox pitcher Nick Pavetta didn’t want to jump into the missed strike conversation, but his “no comment” comment demonstrates that he was upset about the eventual outcome of the game.
Nick Pivetta on Laz Diaz: “No comment, I’m not going to say anything.”
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) October 20, 2021
“A lot of people thought it was a strike,” said Alex Cora.
Must Read. Astros even ALCS thanks in part to Laz Diaz’s handy-work. light