SAN FRANCISCO — Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has a habit of staring down players when he records the final out of a game. On Friday night, however, Chapman did more than stare, as he was seen shouting to a mystified Wilmer Flores, the San Francisco Giants first baseman.
Chapman earned his 14th save of the season in Boston’s 7-5 win, striking out Heliot Ramos, former teammate Rafael Devers and getting Flores on a game-ending infield popup.
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During the at-bat with Flores, Chapman was charged with a pitch clock violation and assessed an automatic ball. Home plate umpire Doug Eddings told Chapman that he hadn’t been looking at the batter in a timely manner, as pitchers are directed to do.
As Flores later ran out the popup to first, Chapman could be seen saying something to Flores.
After the ball settled first baseman Abraham Toro’s glove, Flores cut back across the infield and asked Chapman what he was yelling about.
Eventually, the exchange got heated as players from both sides congregated near the middle of the diamond. Chapman continued to jaw at Flores as the infielder headed for the home dugout on the third base side. As umpires moved in to quell the disturbance, Chapman was led away by catcher Connor Wong and pitching coach Andrew Bailey.
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“I don’t know. He said something,” said Flores. “I wanted to know what he said. Still don’t know…I tried to ask him if he said something. I asked what was going on.”
Asked if he thought Chapman’s anger stemmed from the pitch clock violation, Flores was again at a loss to explain.
“I guess,” he told reporters. “I don’t know.”
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