Joe West, chief of the umpiring crew that worked the just-concluded Red Sox-Yankees series at Fenway Park, criticized the teams for their slow play and lack of cooperation in attempting to improve the pace of the game. The first two games of the three-game series averaged 3 hours, 47 minutes. "They're the two clubs that don't try to pick up the pace," West told the The Record of Bergen (N.J.). "They're two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest? "It's pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play." Added West, who worked the plate Sunday night: "The commissioner of baseball says he wants the pace picked up. We try. And [Tuesday night's game] still almost went four hours." This, despite the fact that Tuesday's home plate umpire, Angel Hernandez, refused to grant time out to a number of batters. "All of baseball looks to these two clubs to pick up the pace," West said. "Angel did everything he could. The players aren't working with us. "This is embarrassing, a disgrace to baseball." - WEEI.com