Chicago White Sox closer David Robertson blew a save against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night, and he felt that some “bush league” antics from Mike Scioscia led to the misfortune.
Angels shortstop Erick Aybar struck out to lead off the ninth with the White Sox leading 2-1. The pitch was in the dirt, so Chicago catcher Tyler Flowers reached out and tagged Aybar on the leg. Home plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth made an out signal, but Aybar ran to first base anyway. Flowers did not attempt to throw him out.
Scioscia immediately argued that Flowers never tagged Aybar, and the play went under review. After the call was upheld, Scioscia came back out of the dugout to argue some more. Managers are supposed to be automatically ejected if they debate a replay ruling, but Culbreth allowed Scioscia to delay the game.
Robertson was not happy.
“I felt that Scioscia was very bush league, coming out there and standing in front of home plate after the play had already been reviewed,” Robertson said, via Doug Padilla of ESPN.com. “I felt like once it has been reviewed, it has been reviewed on film and he’s called out, there’s no reason for you to come back out and argue the call. I guess that’s just the way he is. It kind of changed the whole momentum in the ninth.”
Robertson was charged with a blown save after White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu botched a rundown play by stepping on first to start a double play. Alexei Ramirez was called for runner interference and a run scored from third to tie the game.
Scioscia insisted after the game that holding up play was not his intention.
“Absolutely that was not my intent. Absolutely not,” he said. “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.”
Robertson felt that Scioscia intentionally stood in front of home plate to prevent the pitcher from tossing a few pitches to stay loose.
“It didn’t throw my rhythm off,” Robertson said. “I think it’s funny he walks out and stands in front of home plate. He knows I would like to get a few pitches in there. I wasn’t given that opportunity, so I guess that’s how he goes about business.”
We know Scioscia can be pretty coldhearted in the clubhouse (just ask Mike Trout), but standing in front of home plate to throw off an opposing pitcher’s rhythm would be some serious evil genius stuff. Fortunately for Robertsen, the White Sox went on to win in 13 innings.
