The Boston Red Sox cruised to a 10-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, but the scoreline wasn't the only story leaving its mark. A controversial hit-by-pitch in the fourth inning has sparked heated debate across the baseball world.
With his team already trailing by eight runs after surrendering back-to-back home runs, Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez drilled Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story squarely in the back with a four-seam fastball. The pitch came in Story's next at-bat after the homers, and it was the only four-seamer Valdez has thrown all season. Given Valdez's reputation for hitting batters when games slip away, many are questioning whether the pitch was intentional.
Valdez insisted after the game that he didn't throw at Story on purpose. However, even his own manager struggled to defend him in that moment.
"We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn't feel like it," Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters. "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 added, "So I understand their frustrations. I understand the moment, and it was a low moment of a frustrating night."
This isn't the first time Valdez's character has been called into question. Last September, he reportedly crossed up his own catcher after allowing a grand slam, an incident that damaged his free agent market. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, at least one team crossed Valdez off their list of targets because of that behavior.
With a history of hitting batters during high-pressure moments, it's hard to give Valdez the benefit of the doubt here. While Hinch stopped short of accusing his pitcher of intent, he made it clear that walking onto the field as benches cleared didn't sit well with him.
For Red Sox fans, the win was sweet—but the lingering tension over this incident will keep the conversation going long after the final out.