CC Sabathia blasts ‘terrible’ umpire as Red Sox knock Yankees out of playoffs

Craig Kimbrel and the Boston Red Sox held off the Yankees’ ninth-inning rally that ended with a video replay, eliminating New York with a 4-3 victory Tuesday night that set up a postseason rematch with the World Series champion Houston Astros.

Trailing in Game 4 of the AL Division Series, the Yankees scored twice in the ninth and had runners at first and second with two outs. Gleyber Torres hit a slow roller that third baseman Eduardo Nunez charged and threw across the diamond.

Boston first baseman Steve Pearce stretched for an outstanding catch that nipped Torres. The Yankees immediately challenged and, with a sellout crowd standing and hoping, the out call was upheld after a 63-second look.

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Crazy, stressful, insane.

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October 10, 2018

However, the Yankees starting pitcher, CC Sabathia, was unhappy with umpire Angel Hernandez. “He’s absolutely terrible,” Sabathia said after the game. “He was terrible behind the plate today. He was terrible at first base. It’s amazing how he’s getting jobs umpiring in these playoff games.”

Sabathia gave up three runs in five innings. Some of the pitcher’s anger may have been fueled by Hernandez’s performance on Monday night, when he had three calls overturned on review. Sabathia said Hernandez was not the reason the Yankees lost but added that umpires should be dropped if they perform badly. “That’s what [players] do,” he said. “We have a bad night, we don’t get to play. I don’t understand why he’s doing playoff games.”

Meanwhile, Red Sox starter Rick Porcello said he had not problem with the umpiring on Tuesday. “Throw the ball over the plate, CC,” Porcello said. “I thought Angel Hernandez called a good game. You gotta get the ball over the white part of the plate and then you get the strikes called.”

JD Martinez and the 108-win Red Sox reached the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2013. A year after losing to the Astros in the ALDS, Boston will open the best-of-seven matchup against them Saturday night at Fenway Park.