Here’s the controversy around Mike Minor’s 200th strikeout, which came against the Red Sox
The Rangers let a routine pop-up drop so Minor could reach the milestone.
Texas Rangers left-hander Mike Minor recorded his 200th strikeout of the season against the Red Sox on Thursday afternoon, but the statistical milestone came with some controversy.
Here’s the situation:
Minor entered his final start of the season with 191 strikeouts. After fanning eight batters across eight innings of work, he came out for the ninth inning one punch-out away from reaching the 200-mark for the first time in his career.
With one out in the inning and Chris Owings at the plate for the Sox, Minor induced a pop-up in foul territory down the first base line. But Rangers first baseman Ronald Guzman intentionally let the ball drop to keep the at-bat alive. One pitch later, Minor caught Owings looking at a changeup for his 200th strikeout. Rangers manager Chris Woodward immediately removed Minor from the game after his career-high 126th pitch.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora wasn’t pleased with how the situation unfolded.
Cora didn’t really comment on the play by Guzman who intentionally dropped the pop up in foul territory so Minor would have another chance for his 200th strikeout. Said he’s just glad his players play the right way.
— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) September 26, 2019
Woodward also voiced displeasure post game, saying that the Red Sox were intentionally swinging at the first pitch to prevent Minor from getting a strikeout.
Post-game drama…. Red Sox manager Alex Cora was not happy the Rangers dropped a foul pop so Minor could get his 200th strikeout in the 9th… The Rangers said too bad… they weren’t happy the Red Sox were swinging at the first pitch in the eighth to keep Minor from getting it
— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) September 26, 2019
The controversy continued on Twitter later Thursday night when the Globe’s Pete Abraham tweeted his thoughts on Minor’s strikeout. Minor responded.
Ask me if I care Pete
— Mike Minor (@MikeMinor36) September 26, 2019
Both the Red Sox and Rangers are eliminated from postseason contention. With the strikeout, Minor joined teammate Lance Lynn in the 200-strikeout club, becoming the first Ranger duo to accomplish the feat since Nolan Ryan and Bobby Witt in 1990.
