Boston Red Sox starter Brandon Workman was suspended six games Tuesday by Major League Baseball for throwing behind Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria during Friday’s game at Fenway Park. Meanwhile, Rays starter David Price got away scot-free despite some questionable antics.
That didn’t sit well with David Ortiz.
The slugger, who was drilled by Price in the first inning of Friday’s game, blasted the veteran left-hander immediately following the contest. Ortiz had some more choice words Tuesday when discussing the suspension handed to Workman, insisting Price should have been disciplined for his role in Friday’s drama.
“I don’t even know what to say, you know? I mean, (Price) started everything up and we’ve got to pay for it, basically,” Ortiz told reporters before Tuesday night’s game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. “That’s the message that I’m getting, right? I don’t have any answer about that, but it’s like I say, way too much evidence now that he hit me on purpose, and the funny thing is that we are the ones that are getting fines, suspensions, all kind of stuff. I guess the rules are not for everyone.”
Price wasn’t ejected from Friday’s game despite hitting Ortiz and Mike Carp and kicking off a bench-clearing altercation in the fourth inning. It’s somewhat surprising given that Price criticized Ortiz during last year’s American League Division Series and the umpires went into the contest knowing there could be some bad blood between the teams.
“He says I think I’m bigger than the game? Who around the league can say that about myself? It’s basically what happens every time the pitcher screws up,” Ortiz said Tuesday. “They’re always looking for excuses. You’re never going to see a pitcher coming out and saying, ‘Yeah I hit him on purpose.’ ‘Oh, I was trying to establish my fastball in.’ Bro, you’ve given eight walks in 80 innings. You know what you’re doing out there.
“In my case, when he hit me, I was a little confused because everything, the way it went down the year before and stuff. Basically, first inning, but as the game goes by, I start thinking about things and seeing things different, and that’s why I was so angry after the game. … I don’t think what they’re doing is fair. I think the rules should be for everybody.”
Price didn’t have much to say about Friday’s altercation immediately following the game, and he again refused to stir the pot Tuesday when asked about Ortiz’s most recent comments.
“I’m past it. I have nothing else to say,” Price said. “People are going to have enough to say. I’m over it.”
Ortiz doesn’t appear over the situation, however, and if Price decides to throw in the slugger’s direction again, there’s a good chance there will be some additional fireworks.
“I’m not going to get hit again, not by him. I’m not going to get hit again by him,” Ortiz said. “He did it on purpose, he punked me and that’s very disrespectful. I’m a grown-ass man, I’ve been around the league for a long time and I know how to take care of business on my own.”
Photo via Twitter/@BBTN
