The Houston Astros had one of the strangers nights of the season Tuesday against the New York Yankees.
An apparent cross-up between starter Framber Valdez and catcher Cesar Salazar followed up a grand slam from Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham. But some questioned whether the cross-up was intentional by Valdez.
Will Middlebrooks, a 2013 World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, openly voiced his displeasure with Valdez’s actions.
“I think this is an all-time scumbag move by a teammate,” Middlebrooks said on “CBS Sports HQ” Wednesday morning. “This is one of the worst things you can do as a pitcher. He was angry because Salazar didn’t want to throw that pitch. … You can’t purposely cross up (as a) pitcher. The reaction was everything I needed to know.”
“When I initially saw it, I was thinking, ‘OK, it was a mistake,’” Middlebrooks continued. “Then you watch the reaction of Framber. No remorse. No ‘my bad.’ No nothing. … You squared him up in the sternum with 95 (MPH) and you didn’t even react? I’m sorry, if he’s my teammate, if I’m that catcher, we’re going down in the tunnel and you’re getting these hands now or after the game. You can pick when you want them. That just can’t happen.”
Valdez sports a 3.40 ERA in 27 starts this season and is set to hit free agency at the end of the season. The Astros currently lead the American League West by three games over the Seattle Mariners with another postseason run in their sights.
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