Chaos erupts as Red Sox lose extra-inning battle with Reds

ABS challenge system fuels contentious calls, ejections in wild game

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:55pm

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In a chaotic extra-inning game, the Boston Red Sox lost 6-5 to the Cincinnati Reds after a series of controversial calls and challenges involving the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and shortstop Trevor Story were both ejected in the game, which featured poor umpiring, failed Red Sox challenges, and a walk-off RBI single by the Reds' Dane Myers in the 11th inning.

Why it matters

The introduction of the ABS challenge system in MLB has been a major point of discussion, and this game highlighted the system's impact, with the Red Sox running out of challenges early and being unable to overturn several questionable calls. The ejections and heated reactions also demonstrate the high tensions surrounding the new technology and its implementation.

The details

Reds starter Sonny Gray struggled in his Red Sox debut, allowing three runs in four innings. The Red Sox fell behind early but fought back, only to be hampered by the lack of challenges. In the 6th inning, the Reds successfully challenged 6 calls, while the Red Sox had no challenges left. This led to a heated argument between Story and umpire CB Bucknor, resulting in Story's ejection and Cora's as well for intervening. The Red Sox bullpen kept them in the game, but a walk-off single by the Reds' Dane Myers in the 11th inning sealed the victory for Cincinnati.

  • The Red Sox ran out of challenges by the 3rd inning of the game.
  • The Reds successfully challenged 6 calls in the 6th inning alone.
  • Trevor Story was ejected in the 8th inning after arguing a called strikeout.
  • Alex Cora was ejected in the 8th inning for intervening in the argument between Story and umpire CB Bucknor.
  • Dane Myers drove in the game-winning run for the Reds in the 11th inning.

The players

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who was ejected from the game for intervening in the argument between Trevor Story and umpire CB Bucknor.

Trevor Story

The shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, who was ejected from the game for arguing a called strikeout with umpire CB Bucknor.

Dane Myers

The Cincinnati Reds player who drove in the game-winning run in the 11th inning with a walk-off RBI single.

CB Bucknor

The home plate umpire whose questionable calls and refusal to overturn them led to the ejections of Cora and Story.

Sonny Gray

The Cincinnati Reds pitcher who struggled in his Red Sox debut, allowing three runs in four innings.

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What they’re saying

“Major League Baseball introducing the ABS challenge system was going to be 'interesting.'”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

“The dearth of ABS challenges reared its head again in the bottom of the sixth when Red Sox Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson entered for his MLB debut and the Reds had runners on first and second with two outs. Watson should've had an immediate inning-ending strikeout by his fourth pitch, but without the ability to challenge, issued a bases-loading walk on the seventh pitch.”

— Gabrielle Starr, Author

What’s next

The Red Sox and Reds will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday, with both teams looking to bounce back from the controversial extra-inning affair.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the ongoing challenges and tensions surrounding the implementation of the new ABS challenge system in MLB. The inability of the Red Sox to overturn questionable calls, combined with the heated reactions from players and managers, underscores the need for further refinement and clarity around the use of this technology in the sport.