BREAKING – Alex Cora Explains Key Baserunning Play That Left Nate Eaton Out at Third
BOSTON — The Red Sox won the game, but one daring play stole the spotlight—and the postgame questions. In the bottom of the seventh inning at Fenway Park on Monday night, utility man Nate Eaton tried to stretch a line-drive single into a two-base spark. Instead, he became the center of a sudden momentum swing, gunned down at third base by a perfect throw from Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo.
Boston manager Alex Cora didn’t dodge the subject afterward. Standing in the home dugout with reporters crowded around, he offered a clear-eyed explanation of what happened and why he supported Eaton’s decision.
“We play aggressive,” Cora said. “The ball kicked off the wall, Nate got a great jump, and nine times out of ten we’re safe there. Tonight the throw was perfect. That’s baseball.”
The play began with two outs and Boston holding a slim 3–2 lead. Eaton’s line drive ricocheted off the Green Monster and rolled toward left-center. Sensing an opening, he rounded second base at full speed. Verdugo corralled the carom quickly and unleashed a strike to third, where infielder Oswald Peraza applied the tag just in time. The crowd of 36,000 gasped as the umpire signaled out.
“I saw it bounce and thought I had it,” Eaton said. “I trust my speed. If I’m going to make a mistake, I’d rather it be on the side of aggression. It just didn’t work out.”
The Yankees threatened in the top of the eighth but failed to capitalize. Boston’s bullpen—anchored by setup man Chris Martin and closer Kenley Jansen—locked down the final six outs for a 4–2 win that kept the Red Sox in the thick of the Wild Card race.
Cora’s postgame comments highlighted a key theme of his tenure: freedom for players to take calculated risks. “We talk all the time about reading the ball off the wall and putting pressure on the defense,” he said. “I’d rather they go than play scared. That’s our identity.”
Veteran teammates echoed their manager’s sentiment. “You love that from Nate,” shortstop Trevor Story said. “He’s trying to get that extra base, trying to create something. That’s the way we want to play.”
Despite the out, Eaton’s hustle and Cora’s backing became a rallying point in the clubhouse. Boston improved to 83–68 with the victory, just one game back of the final playoff spot. For a team fighting for every margin, Cora believes controlled aggression is essential.
“It’s about winning the little battles,” he said. “Sometimes you get thrown out. Sometimes you make the difference. We’ll keep running.”
The Red Sox will need every ounce of that fearless approach as the season winds down. If Monday night’s drama was any indication, Boston is ready to embrace the chaos—win or lose.
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