Was Framber Valdez retaliating for Red Sox grip-stealing? Video says yes

TL;DR

Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch during a game against the Red Sox, leading to a brief benches-clearing incident. Although Valdez claimed it was unintentional, the context of his poor performance raised suspicions.

Key points

Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch
Incident led to a brief benches-clearing situation
Valdez claimed the pitch was unintentional
Valdez struggled earlier in the game
He allowed five runs and back-to-back home runs

Framber ValdezTrevor StoryDetroit TigersBoston Red Sox

May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Detroit – Eric Hosmer, the standout first baseman on the Royals’ last World Series team, was locked in on the Tigers-Red Sox game Tuesday night.

He is part of the Royals broadcast team now and he sent out an interesting video perhaps showing the best explanation for why Framber Valdez threw a pitch that hit Trevor Story in the back and ignited a brief and uneventful benches-clearing incident at Comerica Park.

Valdez repeatedly said he did not intentionally throw at Story, but the optics were bad. He had given up five straight singles and five runs in the third inning and then back-to-back home runs in the fourth prior to Story’s at-bat.

The first pitch to Story was the first four-seam fastball Valdez had thrown all season and it was directed right at the middle of Story’s back.

Hosmer broke down video on a couple of at-bats from the first inning when first Wilyer Abreu and then Story were on second base. Both players stole second base, which is always part of the game-planning against Valdez, who does not control the running game well.

But in these two instances, Hosmer believed there was another pre-determined motivation for getting to second base. As the video showed, both players were stealing Valdez’s pitch grips from second base and relaying what pitch was coming.

Q&A

Did Framber Valdez intentionally hit Trevor Story?

Framber Valdez stated that he did not intentionally throw at Trevor Story, despite the incident occurring during a challenging game for him.

What led to the benches-clearing incident involving Valdez and Story?

The incident was sparked when Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story after struggling in the game, allowing five runs and back-to-back home runs prior to Story's at-bat.

What was the reaction from players after the pitch hit Story?

The pitch that hit Trevor Story led to a brief benches-clearing incident, although it was described as uneventful.

What performance issues did Valdez face during the game against the Red Sox?

Framber Valdez struggled significantly, giving up five straight singles and five runs in the third inning, followed by back-to-back home runs in the fourth.