Astros caught in Sign-gate
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
HOUSTON — During Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on Saturday, the Red Sox learned of a possible attempt by the Houston Astros to acquire an unfair advantage, Dave Dombrowski confirmed after the Sox’ 8-2 win in Game 3 last night.
Questions stemmed from yesterday’s report in the Metro, which said Fenway security guards removed a man with a small camera who was “claiming to be an Astros employee from the media credentialed area next to the Boston Red Sox dugout.”
The security team had been warned to be on the lookout for such a situation after “suspicious activity” in the Astros’ Division Series against the Cleveland Indians, and the man was removed from the area but allowed to stay in the park, according to the report.
Dombrowski said he was aware of the situation during the Sox’ Game 1 loss.
“It did not affect our first game, what took place,” the Sox president of baseball operations said. “The person was removed much earlier in the game.”
Major League Baseball did not respond to a request for comment.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch said, “I’m aware of something going on, but I haven’t been briefed. I’m worried about the game.”
Asked if there would be any ramifications for the Astros’ actions, Dombrowski said, “You’ve got to ask the commissioner that one. It’s one of those that they will handle however they feel is appropriate.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora is known for being an astute observer of the game, but said he did not think the Astros gained any advantage.
Asked if he was concerned if the ’Stros were trying to steal signs, Cora added, “I’m always concerned about that throughout the season. So I mean we do a good job changing sequences and paying attention to details. And we don’t get caught up on the whole paranoia thing of the signs. We try to slow it down. If we feel there’s something going on we switch the signs.”
Nunez banged up
Eduardo Nunez is hurt again.
He was removed from the game for pinch-runner Rafael Devers in the fourth inning due to a sore ankle.
“I twisted it on that foul ball down the third base line (by Yuli Gurriel in the first inning),” he said. “It was my ankle. Right ankle. Same ankle I hurt in the last game of the season against the Yankees. That was the same ankle.”
After Nunez departed, Devers failed to come up with a hard grounder that cost the Red Sox a run in the fifth inning. Nunez had made a few solid plays before leaving.
With left-handed starter Dallas Keuchel unlikely to face Nunez’ spot in the order again and Houston carrying just one lefty in the bullpen, Cora made the decision to pull Nunez and get the left-handed hitting Devers into the game after Nunez’ single.
“I really wanted him to get one more at-bat against Dallas, because that’s why he was in the lineup,” Cora said. “But at that point I wanted to go take him out of the game, get some treatment and put (Devers) in the game.”
Sale iffy for Game 5
Chris Sale’s status for Game 5 is up in the air.
Sale, who spent most of Sunday at Mass General Hospital with a stomach illness, rejoined the team yesterday. Sale will throw a bullpen session today.
Sale told Cora, “I’m good enough” to pitch in Game 5 tomorrow, though Cora said before the game that the Sox are considering a contingency plan.
“Yeah we’re thinking about it,” Cora said. “We still think he can do it but obviously we have to wait. Like I said yesterday, this is more than us, it’s about him and how he feels. I’m not going to put him in a situation where he gets hurt because he’s not ready to pitch.”
If Sale can’t go, Eduardo Rodriguez and/or the bullpen will handle the game.
Price in relief?
The Sox are hoping David Price can continue the trend of starters pitching out of relief during these games in Houston.
“Maybe (tonight in Game 4), all depends how he feels,” Cora said.
Price was in the bullpen last night and the TBS cameras spotted him raking the bullpen mound during the game.
“I was just fixin’ the left mound,” Price told the Eagle Tribune. “When we scored, it turned into ‘the rally rake.’ ” . . .
Mitch Moreland’s injured hamstring is still improving, but the Red Sox are uncertain if he’ll be able to start tonight against righthander Charlie Morton in Game 4.
Steve Pearce started at first base again last night. Moreland pinch-hit for the catcher with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and was plunked by Roberto Osuna to drive in the fourth run of the game, just before Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a grand slam. Moreland has reached safely in all three of his pinch-hitting appearances this series.