DETROIT — The Red Sox took out their frustrations on Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez early in Tuesday’s game with a 10-run double. Valdez seemed to express his frustration by hitting Trevor Story with a pitch, which resulted in his ejection and the emptying of the bench and bullpen.
After back-to-back home runs by Wilson Contreras and Willier Abreu gave the Red Sox a 10-2 lead in the fourth inning, Valdez drilled a hole in Story’s back with a 94 mph first-pitch fastball. Story was immediately stopped by home plate umpire Adam Baker as the Red Sox players rushed over the railing. Contreras came on the scene and looked particularly animated as players from both clubs poured onto the pitch. There were no punches or shoves, but both teams’ bullpens jogged in from left field.
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Valdez was ejected by captain Dan Yasonia, who apparently believed the throw was intentional. Valdez had a brutal night on the mound, allowing 10 runs (including 7 ERA) on 9 hits (3 homers) while recording just 9 outs.
Both Story and Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said they believed the pitch was intentional, although Valdez denied it after the game, which Boston won 10-3.
“Yeah, I do think so,” Tracy said when asked if he thought the pitch was intentional. “I think it’s weak, I think everybody sees that. Their side, our side, I think everybody sees it. It’s weak.”
Additional story: “I was out there getting ready to hit the ball and it came up way behind me, beyond the numbers. I think we all knew what it was… It’s indisputable.”
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Valdez seemed unhappy with the way Contreras delivered a home run 449 feet into the left field bleachers and flipped the bat.
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