Red Sox say Framber Valdez intentionally hit Trevor Story with pitch: ‘It was weak,’ says Chad Tracy

TL;DR

Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch during a game, leading to a benches-clearing incident. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy believes the pitch was intentional, while Valdez claims it was not.

Key points

Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy believes it was intentional
Valdez claims the pitch was not intentional
The incident led to benches clearing during the game
Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu hit home runs before the incident

Red SoxTigersFramber ValdezTrevor Story

DETROIT — In the aftermath of a Red Sox blowout win over the Tigers that featured the benches clearing in the fourth inning after Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a 94 mph first-pitch fastball in the back, Valdez said the act wasn’t intentional. The Red Sox vehemently disagreed.

“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.”

Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu started off the fourth inning by hitting no-doubt home runs off Valdez that plated Boston’s ninth and 10 runs in the early part of the game. Both players admired their shots, with Contreras adding a demonstrative bat flip as his 449-foot blast went into the left-field seats. Next up was Story, who stepped to the plate and immediately took a fastball to the back.

“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.

Story turned and looked toward Valdez as many of his teammates, including Contreras, immediately poured out of the first base dugout. Tigers players rushed from the Detroit side and the teams met along the first base side. Though no punches were thrown and no shoving took place, tensions ran high. Relievers from both bullpens made the long jog in from left field.

“They didn’t hesitate,” Tracy said. “They were out there. Nothing escalated. They weren’t happy about it, obviously, but they were there, which was important.”

Q&A

Did Framber Valdez intentionally hit Trevor Story?

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy believes Valdez intentionally hit Story, while Valdez himself denies it.

What happened during the Red Sox vs. Tigers game?

The game featured a benches-clearing incident after Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch following home runs by Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu.

What did Trevor Story say about being hit by the pitch?

Trevor Story described the pitch as showing up way behind him and implied that the intent was clear.

What was the reaction from the Red Sox after the incident?

The Red Sox were vocal about their belief that the pitch was intentional, with manager Chad Tracy calling it 'weak' and suggesting everyone saw it that way.