Alex Cora, Brandon Hyde have beef after perceived cheating allegation
By Scott Rogust
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is trying to clear the air with Brandon Hyde after his comments about the Baltimore Orioles hitters following Mondays’ game.
On Monday, the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles began their second head-to-head series of the season. The Orioles picked up the 5-4 win after scoring five earned runs on nine hits off of Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale. Manager Alex Cora was ejected in the bottom of the ninth inning for arguing about the strike zone.
After the game, Cora caught the ire of Brandon Hyde for his comments. Specifically, Cora said that the Orioles had “no swings and misses on tough pitches,” before saying “got to give credit to them, I guess.”
On Tuesday, Hyde spoke about Cora’s comments, which he called, “disrespectful” to his hitters.
"At one point there, there was no swings and misses on tough pitches. Got to give credit to them I guess," Cora said. https://t.co/lUkjFAJ2BA
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) April 25, 2023
"I thought it was disrespectful to our hitters. I loved our approach last night," O's mgr Brandon Hyde said of Boston mgr Alex Cora's postgm comments Monday night.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) April 25, 2023
Alex Cora clears the air over comments that upset Brandon Hyde
After being made aware that Hyde didn’t appreciate his comments, Cora said that he did not mean to point the fingers at the Orioles for doing something like stealing signs. Cora said that he is the “last person” to scream foul play, considering his role in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal in 2017 when he was the team’s bench coach. Cora said that he plans to speak with Hyde.
‘“For me to accuse somebody of doing something wrong, I’m the last guy who can say that because I put myself in the situation in ‘17.” - Alex Cora on Brandon Hyde saying Cora’s comments were disrespectful. Cora said he didn’t mean it that way. Will talk to Hyde. #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) April 25, 2023
According to the Associated Press, the Orioles made contact on 40-of-42 swings against the Red Sox. Not just that, but the Orioles didn’t strike out once for the entire game, per the box score.
Cora played a part in the Astros electronically stealing signs throughout the 2017 season, the very campaign in which the organization won their first World Series title. Cora was suspended for the 2020 season following the investigation and stepped down as Red Sox manager. However, he was re-hired the following year.
The Orioles are on fire this season, sitting in second place in the AL East with a 15-7 record and are on a seven-game winning streak after Monday’s victory. The Orioles will look to make it eight in a row on Tuesday night, with Kyle Bradish set to duel Corey Kluber.
It will be interesting to hear what comes of the conversation between Cora and Hyde.
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