Red Sox star weeps for earthquake-hit Venezuela after home run, gets tossed by umpire minutes later
In an emotional night at Fenway Park, Red Sox star Willson Contreras went from tears over the devastation in Venezuela to being controversially ejected from the game during the Red Sox’s 6-3 win over the Nationals on Monday.
Contreras, whose home country was shaken by earthquakes on Wednesday, crushed a 421-foot, three-run shot by Nationals right-hander Miles Mikolas into the left-center field seats in the first inning.
Interim Administrator Chad Tracy continues the debate after Contreras’ ouster. (Photo: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) ((Photo: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images))
As Contreras circled the bases, he threw his bat, hit the top of his helmet with both hands, and shouted “Venezuela” toward the Red Sox dugout.
Contreras broke down as teammates and coaches embraced him on the bench.
FORMER METS PITCHER WE WERE SAVED FROM DEATH DURING THE EARTHQUAKES IN VENEZUELA THANKS TO THE ELEVATOR FAILURE
After hitting a checkout in the second inning, first base umpire Nic Lentz ruled Contreras wandered around.
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Back in the dugout, Contreras silently tapped the top of his helmet, signaling for the ABS challenge. However, Lentz immediately ejected Contreras after the helmet hit.
WRISTWATCH:
Willson Contreras is ejected from the game after a heated second-inning umpire argument. (Photo: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) ((Photo: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images))
Fireworks at Fenway! Willson Contreras gave the Red Sox the lead with a home run in the first inning. (Photo: Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) ((Photo: Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images))
Interim manager Chad Tracy came out to appeal the call but was unable to prevent the decision from being overturned.
The decision was criticized by broadcast NESN, where Red Sox analyst Will Middlebrooks damned the ejection during the broadcast.
“Are you kidding? How soft have we become?” Middlebrooks called the ejection “a complete joke” and “an embarrassment to the game”.
“This game needs the best players on the field. It’s an entertainment business. For the fans. What are you doing? You’re going to throw a guy out of the game for that?”
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“It’s really sad to go through that. It’s really hard to separate that or think that we’re good just because we have to work,” Contreras said before Monday’s game.
“We’re professionals. We have to show up and work. But when you know what’s going on in Venezuela, it’s really hard to try to perform and try to find ways to help at the same time.”
Boston held on to take the 6-3 lead behind Contreras’ three-run homer and Caleb Durbin’s home run, but his controversial throw was the focal point of the game.
(JUNE 28) High heat and short fuses: Willson Contreras brings passion and fireworks to Fenway. (Photo: Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) ((Photo: Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images))
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