Buehler, Cora ejected early in win over Mets

Boston Red Sox right-hander Walker Buehler and manager Alex Cora were both ejected in the third inning of Tuesday's game against the New York Mets.

Buehler appeared to have something to stay to home plate umpire Mike Estabrook after hitting Francisco Lindor on an 0-2 pitch. Two pitches later, Lindor stole second base on a pitch that caught the strike zone but was called a ball.

Buehler was quickly ejected for yelling at Estabrook. Cora came out to defend Buehler but was also tossed after a short conversation with the umpire.

"He can say stuff from the mound," crew chief Laz Diaz said postgame, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "But once he comes off the mound, he's leaving his position to argue balls and strikes. ... That's an immediate ejection."

The 30-year-old Buehler was making his first start after returning from the injured list with a shoulder issue.

"I've been in this league too long for that to happen," Buehler said, per Cotillo. "For me personally, it’s one of those things where you're very conflicted. You feel very convicted in what I felt and saw, but at the same time, this is a team game and something I let get out of hand. Personally, that's the disappointing part of it."

Buehler also made sure to offer his take on how Lindor reacted during the heated situation, as the Mets shortstop emphatically encouraged umpires to eject the Red Sox pitcher while standing on second base.

"I wouldn't want me out there either. Sad thing is, the bullpen is full of f-----g animals. Tough choice," Buehler wrote on X.

Boston's bullpen held the Mets scoreless across the remainder of the game in a 2-0 victory to get back to .500 on the season at 25-25.