Maddon: Bartlett was hit intentionally

Manager Joe Maddon believes that the Orioles RHP Jim Johnson hit SS Jason Bartlett with a pitch in the eighth on purpose.

“I really don’t know why they did it, but it was on purpose,” Maddon said. “To verify that all of their extra players came out and sat on the rail for the ninth inning, guys we had not seen for the entire series. They were expecting something to happen because of what they began.”

Jason Hammel retired the Orioles in the ninth without an issue. When asked if he talked to his team about retaliating, Maddon said, "That’s always in-house - I'm just disappointed that they chose to do that."

Bartlett didn't have much to say about it afterwards.

"I don’t know," Bartlett said when asked if he thought the plunking was on purpose. "I'm not even going to go into that. It happened, and to me, it’s the past."

Comments

[Shane]

Heck, bring back Enrico Ciccone!

[Ray F]

Great job by Joe restraining Hammel. I'm sure JB knows that if Hammel had the green light, there would've been a plunking. That shows the class of this team and how September baseball works.

Lotsa small fish trying to feed on our attacks. Don't let them get in the way of our next meal!!!

GO RAYS!!! Bring on the Bombers!!!

[9equals8.com]

Given Maddon's comments after the game on this point ("did you talk about relatiating before the net inning?" Response: "That stuff is always internal"), I have to believe they talked about it and Maddon told Hammel to play it straight. So, I don't think you are going to have an issue with Hammel and his teammates going forward. A plunking was clearly in order, but not at the expense of suspensions, etc. going into the pennant race. The O's were prepared to take it to an extreme by clearing the benches and throwing punches to draw the Rays into a bad situation. Maddon made the right call, but this is not settled, you can be sure of that.

[zeke]

Agree with everyone on the Bartlett situation--absolutely no need for him to charge anyone and get thrown out or suspended later on..However, I believe Hammel lost a tonb of respect from his mates for not plunking someone in return. He threw high and tight to Roberts but doubt that satisfied the "team"..I believe, to a man, they wanted Hammel to retaliate..It's like hockey, if someone goes after Marty or Vinnie, you HAVE to retaliate when you have the chance and Hammel had that chance with three batters and a huge lead that left the game meaningless at that point. Shudda drilled someone...

[Goobers who also like Bubba Trammel]

we need an enforcer!
bring back Gomes so he can jump on someone's back

[Babe]

Longo was hit on the hands intentionally.

[gordy]

maddon was not surprised.
We are focused on the prize not the small stuff.

[JB]

Pitchers have been plunking hitters out of frustration, intimidation, etc. for the game's entire history. Maddon seems surprised and disappointed that one of his key players was the target of a beaning when his team is en route to a series sweep and a division title. Duh, Joe.

[Brad]

Edward L. - I'm a non-believer? Hmm, maybe you should get your face out of the doughnuts. I was simply referring to how stupid MLB players look when they charge the mound. And I really don't even want to get started about how pitchers should be given the electric chair when they throw at another player's head because that same player connected on a fat pitch right down the middle of the plate 2 innings earlier. Nothing like trying to give another player brain damage because of a bad pitch thrown earlier. And in closing, might I add.... mmmmmmmm, doughnuts.

[chux2]

Mark,
Great post, loved the Gordie Howe reference. Laughed so hard, I even turtled.

[Craig]

Of course it was intentional... I was there, and more than one of those plunks were intentional. This is the behavior of a team getting SWEPT.

Kudos to the Rays for not rising to the bait!!

[TechRider]

This is not the first time a Ray's player has been intentionally injured. We have two top hitters out with broken bones from being hit by pitches. There is no doubt in my mind those incidents were intentional. It must be driving the rest of the league crazy that we are still winning.

[Mark]

Our players can control themselves.

Charging the mound in that situation is a move suitable for CoooOOOOOOOOOOkie Crisp.

"He hurt me cuz I'm so fly, so I'mma hurt dat guy over there jus fo fun! Oooh my cornrows is tight dawg!"

Did Bartlett have an assist today? Because if he did charge the mound and technically "win" a fight, along with that Home Run, one might say that would be a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in baseball.

[Edward L.]

Brad and all you other non-believers,
The Rays have bigger fish to fry than loser Orioles. Happy life in the cellar, O's. We got big game to hunt -- Sox, Angels and more Sox. Then the Series. And I'll enjoy it all with a few bites of free Dunkin' Donuts!

[Ryan]

Im glad we didnt retaliate, even though i think JB was thrown at. We dont need the suspensions and/or injuries.

[James]

“To verify that all of their extra players came out and sat on the rail for the ninth inning, guys we had not seen for the entire series. They were expecting something to happen because of what they began.”

That's a classic quote from Maddon. Who were these guys he's referring to, thier "good pitchers"?

34 runs later and the O's want to show some spunk. Get real.

9=8

[9equals8.com]

Brad - too funny. I don't see JB charging anyone, anytime. Everytime I think of someone charging the mound, I remember Nolan Ryan and Robin Ventura. Classic laughs!! Rays made the right non-move. We can't afford to lose JB or anyone else to suspecion or injury at this point. It's just not worth it. If the Rays are comfortably leading the AL East when these two teams meet next, I suspect you will see something as they can't just let this go. But, now was not the time. It's in the file and won't be forgotten.

[Brad]

What?!?! You're supposed to charge the pitcher and act like a total freakin' moron when you get plunked. That way, the sissy like slap fight that ensues is a display of how no one can challenge your manhood.