O’s manager Hyde charges Yanks’ dugout after HBP, sparking fracas
from www.mlb.com:
BALTIMORE — The tensions got high when the Yankees and Orioles met in the Bronx three weeks ago. However, neither side reached a boiling point.
That changed when the American League East rivals reconvened at Camden Yards on Friday.
A benches-clearing fracas occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning of New York’s series-opening 4-1 win, shortly after Baltimore rookie outfielder Heston Kjerstad was hit in the head by a 96.8 mph sinker from All-Star closer Clay Holmes.
As Kjerstad exited the field with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel, O’s manager Brandon Hyde(Greensboro Grasshoppers/2005-2006) said he didn’t like some of the comments he heard coming from the Yankees’ bench, as well as some of the mannerisms he saw by the opposing coaches in the third-base dugout.
“It’s an emotional time at that time,” said Hyde, who was the lone person ejected from the game. “My guy just got hit right in the ear. I’m upset, and then I see their dugout and they’re waving at me and yelling at me, so I just didn’t appreciate it at the time.”
An incensed Hyde stormed toward home plate, where he was held off by New York catcher Austin Wells. Hyde began pointing toward the Yankees’ dugout, while several veteran Orioles players — outfielders Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander — rushed over to get in front of their manager.
Nobody was completely successful in defusing the situation before pushing and shoving could occur. The bullpens emptied, and the words flew from both sides.
“I was trying to limit the damage with that,” Wells said. “Nobody wants to fight, no one wants to be in that situation. So to be in the middle of it, I’m just trying to limit any unnecessary repercussions.”
“Any time you have a player get hit in the head, the emotions run a little bit high, and I think that’s all you saw there, was just some emotion coming out,” Hays said. “I don’t think Clay was trying to hit Heston in the head right there.”
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‘It’s surreal’: Rookie sensation Skenes to start for NL in All-Star Game
from www.mlb.com:
CHICAGO — Paul Skenes walked off the mound on May 5 for what turned out to be his final outing with Triple-A Indianapolis. It was just his 11th Minor League appearance since being taken first overall in the 2023 Draft, but the Pirates deemed they’d seen enough to know it was time for a call to the bigs.
The awe-inspiring numbers Skenes has strung together in the two months since have confirmed Pittsburgh’s instincts were spot on. But just in case anyone had even the slightest sense of doubt, Friday morning’s announcement should have all but erased it.
While making an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show to discuss, among other things, being named an All-Star only 364 days after being drafted, Skenes received a surprise call from National League manager Torey Lovullo. The reason? Lovullo wanted to let the Pirates phenom know he’d be the NL’s starting pitcher for the 2024 All-Star Game.
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NL All-Star manager Torey Lovullo calls in to tell Paul Skenes he will be the NL starter for the All-Star Game
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“It took me a little bit to take it in,” Skenes said of Lovullo’s surprise cameo. “That’s normally not what the protocol is. You don’t do an interview and find out while you’re on an interview from the actual National League manager. I wasn’t expecting that.”
Skenes is now set to become just the fifth rookie pitcher to ever start the All-Star Game, per the Elias Sports Bureau, joining Hideo Nomo (1995), Fernando Valenzuela (’81), Mark Fidrych (’76) and Dave Stenhouse (’62). Doing so after throwing just 11 starts would tie Fidrych for the fewest in a career entering an All-Star start (Fidrych also made two relief appearances).
Skenes will also become the first Pirates pitcher in nearly 50 years to start the All-Star Game and the fifth overall, joining Jerry Reuss (1975), Dock Ellis (1971), Vern Law (1960’s second All-Star Game) and Bob Friend (1960’s first All-Star Game and 1956).