WEEI broadcaster Will Flemming’s comments during Red Sox’ loss to Yankees on Sunday draw ire

Red Sox broadcaster Will Flemming opined his way into a maelstrom of controversy Sunday during the Yankees’ 16-1 victory in New York in a crucial matchup between the rivals.

Flemming, the play-by-play voice on WEEI’s radio broadcasts, suggested as the game got out of hand in the eighth inning that a Red Sox pitcher should “drill” a Yankees batter.

He also referred to the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm as a “bush-league” player after the second baseman stole a pair of bases in the eighth with his team leading by six runs, somewhat of a no-no per baseball’s so-called unwritten rules. The first steal occurred when the Red Sox decided not to hold him on at first base. Chisholm leads the American League and is second in the majors with 40 stolen bases, so there might be some incentive for him to pad his stats.

When Chisholm stole third base, Flemming, who was paired with analyst Will Middlebrooks on the broadcast, said, “Chisholm’s doing it again. That’s what he does.”

While Chisholm was on third base, Flemming suggested to Middlebrooks — who seemed to be trying to keep the focus on the action — that Red Sox pitcher Jovani Morán ought to send a message to the batter, Austin Wells.

“Wouldn’t you sort of like to see Morán drill Wells right here?” said Flemming, whose comments drew headlines across various New York media outlets Monday morning.

When Wells homered, Flemming continued with his theme.

“And Morán should fight Chisholm,” Flemming said. “[Morán] is walking toward the third base line, staring at him there.”

“I’m gonna say it, he plays the game the wrong way,” added Flemming.

The game was perhaps the most important of the season for the Red Sox. They fell four games behind the Yankees in the race for the first wild-card spot, and Sunday’s loss clinched the season series in the Yankees’ favor, giving them the tiebreaker if the ball clubs finish with the same record.

The frustration as it played out in the Yankees’ favor bled into the radio broadcast.

Flemming complained for multiple innings about a pivotal play in the fifth inning, when what looked like a spectacular catch by Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela was ruled no catch by the umpiring crew.

The call stood after a replay challenge, prompting Flemming to ask if those in the replay center “had [their heads] on straight.”

Reached by text Monday morning, Flemming chose not to comment. A message to Red Sox vice president of marketing and broadcasting Colin Burch has gone unanswered. Flemming is a Red Sox employee.

Chad Finn

Sports columnist

Chad Finn is a sports columnist for Boston.com. He has been voted Favorite Sports Writer in Boston in the annual Channel Media Market and Research Poll for the past four years. He also writes a weekly sports media column for the Globe and contributes to Globe Magazine.