David Robertson normally isn’t a fiery guy but Mike Scioscia’s “bush league” actions got him riled up on Wednesday night.
The White Sox closer didn’t like how the Los Angeles Angels manager conducted himself after replay officials in New York ruled against Scioscia’s team on a play to start the ninth inning. In particular Robertson didn’t like that Scioscia returned to the field to argue the call and in doing so, blocked the plate, which Robertson said prevented him from making any warm-up tosses during the lengthy delay. Robertson allowed the game-tying run to score on anothereye-opening play later in the frame, but the White Sox eventually won in 13innings, 3-2, to close out a series sweep of the Angels.
[SHOP: Buy a David Robertson jersey]
“I thought there were a lot of ridiculous things that went on in that inning,” Robertson said. “I feel like Scioscia was very bush league going out there and standing in front of home plate after the play had already been reviewed. I feel like once it has been reviewed, it’s been reviewed on film, he’s called out, there’s no reason for you to come back out and argue a call.”
Scioscia didn’t see it the same way.
Erick Aybar struck out on a pitch that bounced in the dirt and though Tyler Flowers lunged to tag him, the catcher appeared to miss Aybar’s leg. But plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth signaled out and Flowers held the ball instead of throwing to first even though Aybar ran to the base.
Aybar stayed at first and asked for a review. Replays indicated that Flowers missed the tag but after several minutes, league officials ruled that the call stood, which brought Scioscia back out of the dugout.
MLB
Scioscia told ESPN Chicago there was no gamesmanship on his part.
[MORE: Garcia's walkoff hit gives White Sox sweep over Angels]
“Absolutely that was not my intent,” Scioscia said. “Absolutely not. It was an important part because it was a possible protest. In fact, I thought I moved out of the way so he could throw. But he would have gotten a chance to throw anyway. Absolutely not -- not one iota of my intent was any gamesmanship. I had to get a reason for the ruling because if the ruling was that he killed the play then it was something I could protest. I had to get a ruling.”
Los Angeles still rallied despite the out as C.J. Cronsingled and pinch runner Taylor Featherston scooted to third on Johnny Giovatella’s single. Conor Gillaspie hit a chopper to Jose Abreu and instead of throwing home, Abreu stepped on first and then tried to throw out Giovatella. But Giovatella got into a rundown long enough for Featherston to score and eventually was ruled safe at second because of obstruction on Alexei Ramirez -- even though replays showed no contact on the play.
“Things just didn’t work out,” Robertson said. “But that happens in baseball, mistakes like that happen on the field. But other thanthat I was really frustrated with how that ninth inning went. I don’t think it’s fair for (Scioscia) to be able to come out and do that. It’s not what this review system is about. Once they’ve reviewed it and it’s called out, it should be an out. There’s no reason for him to come back out and make any comments about it.”