Farrell, Miley moving past heated exchange

BALTIMORE -- Manager John Farrell and starter Wade Miley got into a heated exchange in the dugout after the fourth inning in the Red Sox's 6-5 loss to the Orioles on Thursday night.

Afterward, Farrell chalked up the incident to the left-hander's "competitive spirit" because he did not want to be pulled from the game.

Miley allowed a season-high three home runs to the Orioles in just four innings of work, prompting Farrell to summon right-hander Steven Wright from the bullpen. Miley then confronted Farrell in the middle of the dugout, visibly upset about the decision. Miley eventually walked away, but Farrell followed him into the tunnel leading to the clubhouse to continue the conversation.

Video: BOS@BAL: Miley picks off Machado at first base

After the game, Farrell was ready to move past the incident. He was more concerned about the loss, which dropped the Red Sox seven games under .500 for the third time this season.

"He's a competitor," Farrell said. "You work four days for your start and he doesn't want to come out of the ballgame. I fully respect that. I thought he had good stuff overall, but where we were on the scoreboard, I felt like we needed a change of contrast and a change of style and I made a move after four innings."

Miley (5-6) allowed five runs on nine hits with three strikeouts, and his ERA rose from 4.67 to 5.07.

Video: BOS@BAL: Miley rings up Wieters to end the frame

After the game, the left-hander said he didn't expect there to be any carryover with his manager.

"That's between me and John," Miley said. "It is what it is. … It's fine. Everything that happened is over."

Farrell didn't think Miley pitched poorly. He also understood why Miley became frustrated over the early departure.

"While he had some good stuff, they put some competitive swings against him, and I thought we had to make a move," said Farrell. "We had a chance to talk. Again, he's a competitive guy on his day to pitch. I fully respect him."

Miley said most of his frustration stemmed from preparing four days to pitch and then not lasting past the fourth inning. It also became apparent that he understood why Farrell took him out of the game, even if he didn't fully agree with the decision.

"We're all grown men here," Miley said. "We talk. He's competing from his end of it, I'm competing from my end of it. It's over."

Things do not get any easier as Boston heads home to take on the surging Blue Jays, who have won eight consecutive games, starting on Friday night.

"We felt like this was going to be a hard-fought series," Farrell said. "We've always had strong, competitive games against the Orioles. Unfortunately, we came up short in this one."