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Major League Baseball suspended Blue Jays reliever Ryan borucki for three games “for intentionally hitting Kevin Kiermaier of the Tampa Bay Rays with a pitch late in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game at Tropicana Field. Borucki was also given an undisclosed fine. He is appealing the suspension, so he will remain on the active list until that appeal is heard.
As usual, Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount for Borucki’s actions. Montoyo will serve his suspension tonight, missing tonight’s game against the Twins.
As the Rays led last night’s game 7-1, Borucki hit Kiermaier in the back with a fast pitching first pitch. The benches cleared and Borucki was ejected by third baseman Joe West after the crash was settled. After the game, Borucki denied intentionally hitting Kiermaier, claiming the ball slipped out of his hands (via ESPN).
The incident came just two days after Kiermaier was at the center of a controversy between the two clubs. In Monday’s game, Kiermaier was sent off at home plate as he attempted to score on a Jake Lamb error throwing. The game ended the round and the Blue Jays left the field. As he sat next to home plate, Kiermaier picked up a game plan card that had been dropped by the Toronto wide receiver Alexandre kirk (video via Arash Madani from Sportsnet). Kiermaier brought the map back to the Tampa Bay dugout canoe.
It is not clear whether Kiermaier was aware of what was on the map at the time he took it. After the game, the Rays center fielder told reporters he initially believed it was his own game plan card, which he keeps in his pocket during games to help him get away with it. position in defense. Kiermaier refused to return the card to the Blue Jays once he realized its contents, upsetting some in the Toronto organization. That bad blood apparently carried over into Wednesday’s game.
The Rays and Jays are not expected to face each other again this season, but it is possible that they will face each other in the playoffs. Tampa Bay comes into play tonight with a two-and-a-half game advantage over the Astros for the AHL seed. If they retain that position, they will face the winner of the AL Wild Card match of their Division Series. Toronto is half a game behind the Yankees in the race for last place for the AL Wild Card.
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