Willson Contreras Downplays Altercation With Fan In 10th Inning Of Red Sox's Loss

In a dramatic 7-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras found himself in the headlines for an altercation with a fan. Contreras took a ground ball in the 10th inning, trailing by two runs, only to be thrown out at first. The fan booed him for not hustling, and Contreras was seen arguing with the individual afterwards.

Contreras jokingly remarked to The Boston Globe, "He was inviting me to dinner," when asked about the incident. He did not elaborate on the specifics of the exchange. Contreras has been booed for his perceived lack of hustle before, stating, "If you’re a real fan and you know baseball, there’s no case for me to hustle out of the box."

Acknowledging he is not 100 percent due to a leg injury, Contreras informed the Red Sox management that he must prioritize his health. He further explained, "If I have to run, I push a little bit. If I don’t, my manager has my back, and I talk to him, and he gave me the permission just to do whatever it takes to take care of my legs."

It remains to be seen when Contreras will regain full strength and ability to hustle effectively, but it is hoped this will occur before the postseason.