Red Sox manager Alex Cora may have had some NFL games to watch on Sunday, as his afternoon at Fenway Park ended just in time for early kickoff.

Earlier this season, MLB put a lot of emphasis on interference calls around the bag. Essentially, the league wanted to take out fielders who blocked the bag with their legs. Yet the rule is rarely stated and the selective enforcement understandably doesn’t sit well with most managers.

That’s exactly what happened during the first inning of the Red Sox game against the Twins.

With the speedy Byron Buxton on second base, Nick Pivetta threw the ball to the baseman for an interception. The play was not close and Buxton returned safely. But Vaughn Grissom impeded Buxton a little with his leg.

Second base umpire Dan Merzel did not call for interference, but after speaking with Alan Porter at third base, the team ruled it obstruction. Buxton was awarded third base for the play, and Cora threw a tantrum.

No manager wants to get thrown out in the first inning, but if it’s going to happen, you might as well put on a show. Cora certainly did that.

More MLB!

Wild Card Standings: The latest NL and AL update as of Sunday, September 22, 2024

Wild Card Standings: The latest NL and AL update as of Saturday, September 21, 2024

Best Shohei Ohtani gear to celebrate the first MLB member of the 50-50 club

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Alex Cora unleashed a wild tirade against the referees after being sent off for challenging an obstruction of the referee.