Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora inspired the ire of Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman after appearing to criticize the pitcher's penchant for showing emotion and engaging in heightened gamesmanship on Tuesday.

Stroman took issue with Cora's comments and called him out on Twitter.

I compete. That’s it. Didn’t know I had to cater to opposing teams to like me. Everyone messes with timing, deliveries and pitching mechanics these days. Everyone. Get over it. I’m going to keep that dawg mentality always. Pops raised me right and approves of it all! 🤷🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/y5xvA6dGhm — Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) May 22, 2019

Cora explained on Wednesday that his comments were intended to be more of an observation rather than a criticism.

"It's the Stro Show, you know? He's on the mound and he has his antics and he gets under people's skin and all of a sudden he pitches six innings," Cora said, according to Ryan Hannable of WEEI. "I was with the Astros and people from the dugout were screaming at him and with the Red Sox people in the dugout are screaming at him.

"It's part of it. I said he competes a certain way. Some people like it and some people don't. But, as you guys know in the media there's always somebody writing the headline and those are the ones that get you in trouble. Thank you again to the guys that wrote the headlines and now there's something going on here in Toronto."

It appeared Cora may have had an issue with Stroman quick-pitching to second baseman Michael Chavis, but the skipper said this isn't the case.

"It wasn't even about the quick-pitch," Cora said. "People do that a lot. Nate Eovaldi, he quick pitches and he throws 99, 100. I wasn't actually complaining about the quick-pitch. I was actually telling the umpire because Stroman goes to Chavis and he talks to him and then somebody from the dugout is screaming at Stroman and (umpire) Alan Porter right away jumps on our guy. I was actually screaming at the umpire, but if people want to feel like I was screaming at Stroman and that's a story so be it. I don't have anything against the kid."

The Blue Jays right-hander also tweeted that Cora was probably still mad that he pitched for the United States at the World Baseball Classic instead of Puerto Rico in 2017. Cora rejected that notion, insisting he was understanding when Stroman chose to represent the USA.

Stroman put together a strong outing against his division rivals on Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits over six innings in the 10-3 victory. He did issue a season-high six walks, but was able to escape danger on multiple occasions. The teams are back in action Wednesday night.