Yankees coach ridiculed for runner thrown out at home vs. Red Sox
Controversial decision to send runner in tight MLB playoff game gets coach ridiculed.
During Game 2 of the AL wild card series, New York Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas found himself under intense scrutiny for his decision to tag out Ben Rice at home plate. Rojas, who previously managed the Mets from 2020 to 2021, entered the conversation after waving Rice home, despite the Yankees having runners on first and second base.
The play unfolded as Cody Bellinger drove in the scoring run with a single, followed by Ben Rice reaching second base. Luis Garcia Jr. then extended the inning with a single of his own, leaving Rice on second. In a questionable move, Rojas signaled Rice to score on a chopper hit by Luis Garcia Jr. into left field. Nate Eaton, the Yankees' outfielder, threw home to effectively retire Rice and end the threat.
The play, however, sparked a wave of criticism on social media as Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman successfully tagged Rice for the third out. Just moments later, Boston's Willson Contreras answered the Yankees by hitting a home run, extending their lead. The incident left many questioning Rojas's judgment during the crucial moments of the postseason matchup.
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