BOSTON (AP) \u2014 Houston Astros reliever H\u00e9ctor Neris used a balk to advance a runner to third on Saturday, then had an exchange with Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson that led to a dustup between the teams.<\/p>\n
Neris surrendered Trevor Story\u2019s two-out RBI double in the seventh inning of Houston\u2019s 7-3 loss<\/a>. The right-hander then balked, moving Story to third, before Carlos Narv\u00e1ez bounced to shortstop for the final out.<\/p>\n As Neris made his way off the mound, he had words with Hudson and yelled toward the Red Sox dugout, causing both teams, including bullpens, to come on the field before order was quickly restored.<\/p>\n Asked if he felt the Red Sox were stealing signs, Neris responded: \u201cMaybe. Maybe yes, maybe no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I still wanted to concentrate,\u201d the 36-year-old right-hander continued. \u201cIn (that) situation, I want to do what I\u2019m feeling in the moment. That is the reason why I moved him to third.\u201d<\/p>\n Neris declined to specify what he said to Hudson that caused the benches to empty.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. It\u2019s part of the game,\u2019\u2019 he said with a grin. \u201cSomething funny. People come into (the clubhouse) maybe to hear what happened, but nothing serious.\u201d<\/p>\n Astros manager Joe Espada, speaking to the media before Neris, had no insight into what caused the confrontation.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m actually going to ask Neris,\u201d he said. \u201cI really don\u2019t know what words were exchanged to be honest with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked what caused the benches to clear and if sign-stealing was the issue, Red Sox manager Alex Cora directed the questions to Neris.<\/p>\n Pitching calls in the major leagues are relayed electronically through PitchCom, but a baserunner on second can determine what pitch is coming by looking for a pitcher\u2019s grip. A runner on second also can relay where a catcher is setting up to help a batter with pitch location.<\/p>\n The Astros were disciplined<\/a> by Major League Baseball after it found the team used electronics to steal signs during their run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season.<\/p>\n Cora was the bench coach for Houston in 2017. In the wake of the sign-stealing scandal, he departed Boston in January 2020<\/a> in what was called a mutual decision. After serving a one-season suspension<\/a> handed down by MLB, he was rehired as Red Sox manager in November 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n