Tigers pitcher receives suspension after intentionally throwing at Red Sox’ Trevor Story
· Yahoo Sports
Framber Valdez received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine Wednesday after he intentionally hit Trevor Story during Tuesday’s blowout win for the Boston Red Sox. (UPDATE: Valdez’s suspension was shortened to five games after an appeal.)
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The Detroit Tigers pitcher claimed after the game that he did not intend to hit Story with the four-seam fastball — the first one that he has thrown this season.
“It was not intentional,” Valdez told reporters through an interpreter. “It was not on purpose. It might look like that, but it wasn’t.”
The hit by pitch led to the benches clearing, though not punches were thrown. Valdez was then ejected from the game.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch did not back Valdez’s claim that the hit by pitch was unintentional after the game.
“We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn’t feel like it,” Hinch said. “It’s not judging intent. I have no idea. But I know when you go out on the field, and you end up sort of in those confrontations, you usually feel like you’re in your right. And it didn’t feel good being out there.”
Hinch also received a one-game suspension and undisclosed fine for Valdez’s actions.
The hit by pitch came after Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu hit no-doubt home runs off Valdez to start the fourth inning. Those runs were Boston’s ninth and 10th off the pitcher. Story then stepped to the plate and was hit between the numbers.
“I was in there ready to hit and it showed up way behind me, off the numbers,” Story said. “I think we all know what’s what.
“It’s pretty indisputable,” he added.
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy and Story both said they felt the pitch was intentional.
“Yes, I do think so,” said interim manager Chad Tracy when asked if he thought the pitch was intentional. “I thought it was weak and I thought everybody saw it. Their side, our side, I think everybody saw it. It was weak.”
Former major leaguer Eric Hosmer put together a breakdown on X where he opined that the Red Sox were reading Valdez’s pitches and relaying them to their teammates.
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