Broadcaster rips Jazz, suggests Sox 'drill' Wells

The Boston Red Sox radio play-by-play announcer ripped New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. during Sunday's game between the longtime rivals, calling the two-time All-Star a "bush league player" and suggesting that Boston should "drill" one of his teammates. Will Flemming, who calls games on Boston radio station WEEI, unloaded on Chisholm in the eighth inning of New York's 16-1 victory Sunday at Yankee Stadium. With the Yankees holding a 7-1 lead, Chisholm drew a leadoff walk against Red Sox left-hander Jovani Moran and stole second base. Boston elected not to hold Chisholm on at second, so he also promptly stole third base without a throw, drawing the ire of Flemming and WEEI color analyst Will Middlebrooks. "Chisholm's doing it again," Flemming said as Chisholm trotted into third. "This is what he does." As Middlebrooks bemoaned Chisholm stealing extra bases while New York held a six-run lead, Flemming added that Moran should retaliate against Yankees catcher Austin Wells, who was batting at the time. "Wouldn't you sort of like to see Moran drill Wells right here?" Flemming said. Middlebrooks responded that Chisholm was being "selfish" and "padding your stats," while Flemming added that Chisholm "is a bush league player." Three pitches later, Wells lined a two-run home run into right field to plate Chisholm, whose slow trot down the third base line drew another rebuke from Flemming. "Moran should fight Chisholm," Flemming said. "[Moran] is walking toward the third base line, staring at him there." Flemming said the situation likely added "a little extra vinegar" to a potential Red Sox-Yankees postseason series before again turning his attention to Chisholm. "I'm gonna say it, he plays the game the wrong way," said Flemming, who also added that Chisholm is "awesome" and "so talented." The Red Sox do not own WEEI, which is run by parent company Audacy. The Yankees ultimately rolled in what had been a tight game before a pivotal play in the fifth inning, when umpires ruled that Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela trapped Chisholm's low line drive, turning a possible inning-ending double play into a base hit that extended the inning. New York scored five runs in the inning en route to a crucial victory. The Yankees (78-59) moved four games ahead of the Red Sox (74-63) for the American League's top wild card spot and also clinched the season series to win a tiebreaker should the rivals finish the regular season with the same record.