The Red Sox hitters appeared utterly lost against the Philadelphia arms they faced in the first two games. But just when the team seemed headed for a sweep, Boston managed to break out of their slump in the third game, securing a hard-fought 9-8 victory in 11 innings, thanks to a clutch two-run homer from Carlos Narváez. However, the triumph was quickly overshadowed by fresh controversy surrounding manager Alex Cora, who has been under increased scrutiny for his in-game decisions anyway.
This all kicked off with one powerful post on X. It reframed the Red Sox victory into a storyline all too familiar. For many, it was another chapter in the Alex Cora sign-stealing saga.
“This is a fascinating look at the inner workings of baseball. Looks like Cora guessed/stole the pitch. The signs are probably to the 1B coach, who then relays changeup to the hitter. There’s so much happening on every pitch. The best sport on earth,” announcer Matt McCarthy wrote on X.
This is a fascinating look at the inner workings of baseball. Looks like Cora guessed/stole the pitch. The signs are probably to the 1B coach, who then relays changeup to the hitter.
There’s so much happening on every pitch. The best sport on earth.pic.twitter.com/v7aGCWsS8E
— Matt McCarthy (@MattMcCarthy985) July 24, 2025
All of this took place in one chaotic fifth inning. Jesús Luzardo had been untouchable: a no-hitter. Then, his command completely vanished. A double and a walk put runners on base. He then issued two consecutive bases-loaded walks, forcing in two runs. The stage was set for a nightmare scenario. But Romy Gonzalez stepped to the plate with the bases full and two outs and landed a grand slam that gave the Red Sox a lead.
Just then, television cameras focused on the Red Sox dugout. Alex Cora was not merely watching; he was signaling. He appeared to be relaying some sort of signs to Rob Refsnyder on second base and for some, it seemed unnecessary. Moments later, Gonzalez hit a grand slam. And even before the ball landed, Cora turned to his assistant 1B coach. He had a look of triumph on his face.
For any other manager, it would have been a footnote. But for Alex Cora, every gesture carries the weight of history.
Alex Cora and the unforgiving shadow of the past
Two of baseball’s greatest scandals are part of Cora’s past. MLB’s report on the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal included Cora’s name 11 times. It included him as a “key person in the planning and execution” of their sign-stealing plan. He was involved in the now-infamous trash-can banging scheme as well. This got him suspended for the 2020 season.
Cora then took over as manager of the Boston Red Sox. He guided them to a World Series championship in 2018. But another scandal stained that championship. The league discovered that the Red Sox used their replay room to decode signs illegally. It firmly established the belief that Cora is a manager who operates in the shadows. Will the recent incident against the Phillies cement it further?
Well, of course, there is a counter-narrative as well. Jesús Luzardo, who has really had a tough time on the mound this year, acknowledged the issue himself after the game. “Out of the wind-up clearly isn’t the problem. It’s when we get in the stretch,” he said. “I feel like other teams know that. Just back to the drawing board in terms of that.”
Luzardo opened 2025 as a Cy Young candidate with a 1.95 ERA. That figure has since swelled to a concerning 4.58. With the bases empty, hitters bat .262 against him. With runners base, that number increases to. 295. He has a history of tipping his pitches from the stretch.
That might explain why Cora did what he did. He might simply have been taking advantage of a well-publicized flaw in a pitcher. And here may arise a question: Was it a moment of brilliant gamesmanship, or just another echo in the dugout?
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