BOSTON — The cameras caught Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela raising his hands in frustration after firing a throw to shortstop Trevor Story during Boston’s 6-3 loss to the Astros on Saturday.
The play happened during Houston’s four-run rally in the fourth inning.
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Rafaela fielded Jose Altuve’s double off the center field wall with no outs. His strong, on-target throw reached Story on one bounce. But Story had positioned himself a couple feet off the bag toward the outfield and couldn’t make the tag on Altuve. That’s when Rafaela made the gesture.
Story said he has not yet spoken with Rafaela about it.
“Nah, nah, but we will,” Story said.
Story wouldn’t say how he felt about Rafaela’s reaction to the play.
“We’ll keep it between us,” he said. “We’ll keep it between us and that’s what I think good teams do. We’ll handle it.”
This marks the second visible display of frustration by Red Sox players in three games. On Wednesday in Toronto, starting pitcher Brayan Bello repeatedly shook his head side to side while interim manager Chad Tracy walked to the mound to remove him with two outs in the fourth inning.
When Bello returned to the dugout, he was seen pacing, talking to himself and continuing to shake his head. He also pounded his fist down on the railing in front of the dugout after reliever Greg Weissert allowed a two-run home run that made it 5-1 Blue Jays.
Asked if the Red Sox need to show better body language, Story defended his teammates.
“I mean, there’s a human aspect to it and there’s an emotion side to this game and to kind of everything that’s gone on,” Story said. “That’s part of being a professional. You learn ways to handle those things, and I think it’s as simple as that. You’re not going to catch me talking bad about any of my teammates.”
Rafaela an interview request before Sunday’s game.
“Trev and Raf are handling that between themselves,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Sunday morning. “They’ll be fine. There are things that happen in the course of a 162-game season that things like that happen. Emotions, righty? You’re trying to get our team on track. Water under the bridge. Those two will take care of it.”
The Red Sox dropped to 13-20, again being unable to capitalize with runners on base. Boston hitters went 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.
“We had some opportunities, some very good at-bats to get the traffic on and just didn’t get it done in our opportunities today,” Story said. “And I felt like we got down a little early and fought our way back in the game. I felt like the at-bats were so good and a couple hard outs and then we got even some more traffic out there and kind of cashed in late. But the opportunities with runners in scoring position, we had our fair share tonight. So we just didn’t get it done.”
Story delivered an RBI single in the seventh to cut the Red Sox’ deficit to 6-3. But he failed to come through in a big spot earlier in the game. He popped out to first base with the bases loaded for the final out of the fifth inning.
The 33-year-old is batting .208 with a .245 on-base percentage, .300 slugging percentage and .545 OPS in 32 games (139 plate appearances).
“I just haven’t found the rhythm on a consistent basis that I’m looking for,” Story said. “And this is a tough game. You gotta find a way to get it done. Whether it’s about the times you’re not feeling good and you scrap out a hit or you scrap out a walk or put down a bunt or find a way to help the team when you’re not being the player that you know you can be. So similar to last year. And I’m confident that I’ll get it rolling like I did last year.”
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