Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier adds more drama to emerging rivalry and takes Toronto Blue Jays data card to home plate

Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kiermaier brought a Toronto data card back to the Rays dugout in a bizarre incident that started with a play at home plate in a 6-4 win over the Blue Jays on Monday night in St. Petersburg. , in Florida.

The card was removed from receiver Alejandro Kirk’s wristband during a play in which Kiermaier was plaque tagged on a slide.

Although Kiermaier told reporters he had not watched him, Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters on Tuesday that he spoke to Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo about the incident, saying he was not aware of the situation and that he would speak to his players. .

When asked about it, Kiermaier told SportsNet he didn’t realize it was the Blue Jays card when he took it. “I’ve never even watched it, I’ll say that,” he told the Canadian channel. “But at the same time, I’m not going to drop it or give it back.”

Since the incident happened during the game, he was captured by multiple media and the video shows that after being called in to end the round, Kiermaier handed the card to Paul Hoover, the coordinator of the round. major league field of the club.

SportsNet reported that Toronto sent a bat boy to the shelter from the Rays to request the return of the card. Tampa Bay did not return the card, which likely included information about the Blue Jays’ plans to pitch at the Rays hitters.

While the Rays comfortably hold the top spot in the American League East, the Blue Jays are in a close battle with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees for an AL wild card spot. On top of that, with the two teams within miles of each other during spring training in the Tampa Bay area – then the division’s enemies during the regular season – there is an obvious rivalry.

The win gave Tampa Bay a seven-game advantage over Boston, second with 11 games to go, while the loss knocked Toronto’s second-place wildcard advantage down to just half a game ahead of New York. . The Blue Jays and Rays continued their streak at Tropicana Field on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.