What do you call ball three??...That was a message pitch without a doubt. If Gregg had just shut his mouth after Ortiz flew out none of the melee would have happened..
It's a shame that crap began after such an inspiring start to this game as this one did when the first pitch was thrown by armless man Tom Willis as he attempts to throw the first pitch in every ballpark in America for the benefit of the handicapped of the Nation.
[video]http://www.boston.com/news/local/video/?bctid=1042927233001&[/video]
It's a shame that crap began after such an inspiring start to this game as this one did when the first pitch was thrown by armless man Tom Willis as he attempts to throw the first pitch in every ballpark in America for the benefit of the handicapped of the Nation.
[video]http://www.boston.com/news/local/video/?bctid=1042927233001&[/video]
IMO tensions were running high because Gregg kept coming inside and getting closer to hitting Ortiz. I don't think any batter wants to get hit by a pitch. Ortiz certainly felt he was being thrown at, he was probably pissed off, and when Gregg started coming off the mound and talking at him - Papi tried to pop him one. Papi should have just pointed at the scoreboard and laughed at him, but I guess he felt he had to respond by trying to punch the guy. I do find it ironic that the Red Sox were getting all pissed off at almost getting hit by a pitch. Look how many Yankees they've hit over the past few years.
Ortiz apologizes for late-game fracas.
BOSTON (AP) —
Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz apologized Saturday for charging and swinging at Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg.
Ortiz said wasn’t proud of his actions in the eighth inning of Boston’s 10-3 win over Baltimore on Friday night. He apologized to everyone, including Gregg.
“I haven’t had a fight since I was in kindergarten,” he said with a smile. “That’s not what the fans want to see. That’s not part of my personality. I don’t like being caught in a situation like that.”
Gregg threw two inside pitches to Ortiz, who started to the mound as benches and bullpens cleared without any punches. Ortiz then flied out and Gregg shouted at him, prompting him to charge the right-hander. Both were ejected.
“Nobody wants to see it,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Saturday night’s third game of a four-game series. “It’s a passionate game, with passionate people who care.”
Asked if he expected to get suspended, Ortiz said he knows major league baseball is going to take action for the confrontation, but “I wasn’t the one that started it.”
When he got home from the game, “I didn’t feel good about how that thing happened,” he said. “I apologize to everyone for the situation. I have a lot of friends on that ballclub. Even to Gregg. I don’t really know him but he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that acts like that. I’m not happy about it. That’s not what people come to see.”
Baltimore, with the second worst record in the AL, fell behind 8-0 after one inning in the game. Ortiz drove in three of those runs with a homer.
“You’re wounded and you fight back,” Showalter said. “You feel that way since spring training. You’re a family.”
Ortiz didn’t speak with reporters Friday night, but Gregg defended his actions right after the game.
“I think you show them that we’re not backing down. We’re not scared of them—them and their $180 million payroll,” he said. “We have just as much right to play the game here and we’re going to do everything we can to win.”
Ortiz said he wouldn’t try to talk with Gregg.
“Why should I?” he said. “It’s over. I’ve put that behind me.”
_____________
Oh yeah Boston behind a stellar performance by John Lackey (6-8) who struck out seven and walked one just five days after his 9-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the shortest outing in his two seasons with Boston. Defeated the Orioles again 4-0 to improve their AL Best record to 54-35 a game up on the Yankees and 5 games ahead of the DRays in the AL East.
Regardless of Sunday's outcome in the finale of the 4 game set vs The O's the Red Sox are guaranteed to have the best record in the AL at the All Star Break. The Phillies are right now a game and half better at 56-34 for the best record in baseball. Newly called up All Star 3rd basemen Kevin Youkilis (for an injured AROD) had a big offensive night for Boston with 3 hits (2 doubles) and 2 RBI...
Boston has won 5 in a row and 9 of their last 10 starts.. wil..
Ortiz story at Yahoo Sports..
BOSTON (AP) —
Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz apologized Saturday for charging and swinging at Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg.
Ortiz said wasn’t proud of his actions in the eighth inning of Boston’s 10-3 win over Baltimore on Friday night. He apologized to everyone, including Gregg.
“I haven’t had a fight since I was in kindergarten,” he said with a smile. “That’s not what the fans want to see. That’s not part of my personality. I don’t like being caught in a situation like that.”
Gregg threw two inside pitches to Ortiz, who started to the mound as benches and bullpens cleared without any punches. Ortiz then flied out and Gregg shouted at him, prompting him to charge the right-hander. Both were ejected.
“Nobody wants to see it,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Saturday night’s third game of a four-game series. “It’s a passionate game, with passionate people who care.”
Asked if he expected to get suspended, Ortiz said he knows major league baseball is going to take action for the confrontation, but “I wasn’t the one that started it.”
When he got home from the game, “I didn’t feel good about how that thing happened,” he said. “I apologize to everyone for the situation. I have a lot of friends on that ballclub. Even to Gregg. I don’t really know him but he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that acts like that. I’m not happy about it. That’s not what people come to see.”
Baltimore, with the second worst record in the AL, fell behind 8-0 after one inning in the game. Ortiz drove in three of those runs with a homer.
“You’re wounded and you fight back,” Showalter said. “You feel that way since spring training. You’re a family.”
Ortiz didn’t speak with reporters Friday night, but Gregg defended his actions right after the game.
“I think you show them that we’re not backing down. We’re not scared of them—them and their $180 million payroll,” he said. “We have just as much right to play the game here and we’re going to do everything we can to win.”
Ortiz said he wouldn’t try to talk with Gregg.
“Why should I?” he said. “It’s over. I’ve put that behind me.”
_____________
Oh yeah Boston behind a stellar performance by John Lackey (6-8) who struck out seven and walked one just five days after his 9-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the shortest outing in his two seasons with Boston. Defeated the Orioles again 4-0 to improve their AL Best record to 54-35 a game up on the Yankees and 5 games ahead of the DRays in the AL East.
Regardless of Sunday's outcome in the finale of the 4 game set vs The O's the Red Sox are guaranteed to have the best record in the AL at the All Star Break. The Phillies are right now a game and half better at 56-34 for the best record in baseball. Newly called up All Star 3rd basemen Kevin Youkilis (for an injured AROD) had a big offensive night for Boston with 3 hits (2 doubles) and 2 RBI...
Boston has won 5 in a row and 9 of their last 10 starts.. wil..
Ortiz story at Yahoo Sports..
