‘Aggressive’ Red Sox have had four players thrown out at home in six games: ‘We’ll look at it’

CLEVELAND — For the fourth time in six games, the Red Sox ran into an out at home plate Friday.

With Boston trailing 4-0 after the Guardians put together a hit parade against opener Tyler Samaniego in the first inning, Mickey Gasper laced a two-out double off Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi in the second. One pitch later, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a grounder that got under the glove of shortstop Brayan Rocchio and trickled into left. As Gasper approached third, interim third base coach Chad Epperson waved him home. Left fielder Angel Martínez unleashed a terrific, 96.8 mph throw — the fastest of his career — that beat Gasper by a couple steps for the third out of the inning.

“It was aggressive, obviously,” said interim manager Chad Tracy. “It was a combination of that and it looked like Mickey maybe slowed a little bit going into third. Then, give credit to another perfect throw right on the money to get him.”

An aggressive Epperson has not had a good week. Last Saturday, first baseman Willson Contreras laid blame on Epperson for getting easily thrown out at home on a play that led to the benches clearing as Contreras exchanged words with Twins catcher Victor Caratini. A day later, Minnesota recorded the second-to-last out of a close game when the would-be tying run, Connor Wong, was gunned down at home plate on a Kiner-Falefa double high off the Monster.

On Wednesday, Braves left fielder Mauricio Dubón easily threw Ceddanne Rafaela out at the plate with a strong throw on a Contreras single. Gasper’s failed attempt continued a troubling pattern.

After the game, Tracy said the quartet of outs were caused by a combination of Boston’s aggressiveness and impressive throws from opposing outfielders.

“Probably a combination of both,” Tracy said. “There are certain situations where you want to go and feel like, ‘This could be the chance.’ We’ll look at it. Obviously, better on both ends. We’ll keep looking at it.”

The 54-year-old Epperson, a longtime manager, coach and catching instructor in the organization, began the year as the manager at Double-A Portland before being added to the major league staff on April 26, when Tracy took over for Alex Cora. Epperson is a well-respected veteran coaching voice who was a natural fit for the Red Sox, in the minds of front-office decision makers, because of his familiarity with many players on the roster. He replaced another well-liked coach, Kyle Hudson, at third.

It is unclear if the Red Sox would consider making an in-season change should their baserunning issues continue, but such adjustments happen from time to time throughout baseball. On Friday, the Giants re-assigned third base coach Hector Borg and replaced him with veteran coach Ron Wotus after a series of baserunning mishaps.

At the time Gasper was thrown out, the play did not seem very impactful because of Boston’s four-run deficit. The Red Sox then scored three runs in the fifth inning and went on to lose by a single run, 4-3.

“Obviously, I know the score and everything,” lamented Tracy.

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