Red Sox manager: Valdez 'weak' for hitting Tigers' Story with fastball

TL;DR

Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy criticized Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez for hitting Trevor Story with a pitch, calling the action 'weak.' The incident led to a benches-clearing altercation during the game.

Key points

Chad Tracy criticized Framber Valdez for hitting Trevor Story
The incident led to a benches-clearing altercation
Red Sox won the game 10-2 against the Tigers
The hit-by-pitch occurred in the fourth inning
Tracy described the action as 'weak'

Boston Red SoxDetroit TigersFramber ValdezTrevor Story

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez (pictured) hit shortstop Trevor Story with a pitch in the top of the fourth inning of a loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in Detroit. File Photo by Maria Lysaker/UPI

May 6 (UPI) -- Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy called the Detroit Tigers' Framber Valdez "weak" for hitting shortstop Trevor Story with a pitch during a 10-2 Tigers loss.

Tracy made the comment in his postgame news conference after the victory Tuesday in Detroit. The fourth-inning hit-by-pitch triggered a benches-clearing clash on the first base line at Comerica Park.

"I thought it was weak, and I thought everybody saw it," Tracy told reporters. "Their side, our side, I think everybody saw it. And yeah, it was weak.

Valdez said he did not intentionally hit Story with the 94-mph fastball. Tracy disagreed, while Story said he appreciated his teammates' support.

"It was not intentional," Valdez said. "It was not on purpose. It might look like that, but it wasn't. I was trying to throw strikes after the two consecutive home runs. I was trying to go back in the zone, and that pitch came out of my hand. It wasn't on purpose at all."

Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela hit a three-run homer in the first inning for the first runs of the night. The Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Red Sox put their foes away with a five-run third innning. First baseman Willson Contreras and right fielder Wilyer Abreu added insurance to the Red Sox lead with back-to-back homers off Valdez to start the fourth inning. Story then walked to the plate to face the left-handed pitcher.

Q&A

What did Chad Tracy say about Framber Valdez hitting Trevor Story?

Chad Tracy called Framber Valdez 'weak' for hitting Trevor Story with a pitch during a game.

What happened after Trevor Story was hit by a pitch?

The hit-by-pitch triggered a benches-clearing clash on the first base line at Comerica Park.

What was the outcome of the game between the Red Sox and Tigers?

The Boston Red Sox won the game against the Detroit Tigers with a score of 10-2.

When did the incident involving Trevor Story and Framber Valdez occur?

The incident occurred during the fourth inning of the game on May 6.