Astros Bar Postgame Reporter Press at the request of Justin Verlander

A Detroit Free Press The reporter was ruled out of the Houston Astros post-match press conference last night because Justin Verlander had said he would refuse to speak to the media if the reporter was present.

Anthony Fenech, who covered the Detroit Tigers for the Free Press for four years, was prevented from entering the press conference, which constitutes a violation of the rules of the American Association of Baseball Writers, at the insistence of Verlander. Gene Dias, Vice President of Communications at Astros, said Fenech had been prevented from doing his job at Verlander's "request," the source said. Free Press.

As reported by the Free PressDias said: "Verlander was adamant that he would not speak to any accredited media in the presence of Fenech." (The day before, Verlander had refused to talk to the media while Fenech was there.) Free Press wrote:

Fenech contacted Mike Teevan, vice president of communications at MLB, who told him that he would immediately contact Dias about it. Dias finally gave Fenech access to the clubhouse at 9:41 pm, at the end of the Verlander press session.

Once inside, Fenech spoke to Verlander, who said, "I do not answer your questions." When asked to comment on Wednesday's loss, Verlander's Is distant.

Verlander started a full match and allowed two home runs in the Astros 2-1 defeat against the Tigers. Deadspin asked Fenech to tell him about the incident and left many messages to the Astros. We will update if we hear back.

[[[[Detroit Free Press]