Benches cleared during Tuesday's game at Comerica Park after Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez hit Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a pitch following back-to-back home runs. Valdez was ejected, but no punches were thrown in the scuffle. The incident came during a rough outing for the Tigers left-hander.
The confrontation erupted in the fourth inning of Tuesday's matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez, filling an ace role amid injuries, surrendered back-to-back home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu to open the frame. Contreras sent a first-pitch changeup 449 feet to left field, extending Boston's lead to 10-2 against a Tigers team relying on Valdez after bullpen games to cover for injured starters like Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, who is set to undergo elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Valdez then hit Trevor Story in the back with a 94 mph fastball on the first pitch of his at-bat, prompting Story to yell at the pitcher as benches emptied from both dugouts and bullpens. Plate umpire Adam Beck intervened immediately, and after players settled, umpires ejected Valdez—the only player tossed—and warned both benches. He was replaced by Brenan Hanifee. Valdez's night ended disastrously, allowing a career-high 10 runs (seven earned) on nine hits, including three homers, in three-plus innings. His ERA jumped from 3.35 to 4.57. MLB may suspend Valdez if it rules the hit-by-pitch intentional, a concern for the injury-plagued Tigers rotation that also lacks Reese Olson and Justin Verlander.
