BOSTON — Moments after Chris Sale joined Fenway Park fans in a show of respect of Adam Jones, the Boston ace escalated the feud with Baltimore star Manny Machado
Sale stepped off the mound to let a standing ovation build in the first inning Tuesday night as Jones approached the plate, a day after he was racially taunted at the ballpark.
But when Machado came up next, Sale threw a pitch behind his legs. After the Red Sox won 5-2, Machado was irate — and Sale unapologetic.
“I lost my respect for that organization, Boston and how they’re handling that whole situation,” Machado said in an expletive-filled rant.
“If they’re going to hit me, hit me. Go ahead. Get it over with. Don’t keep lingering it around and doing that. I’ve lost mad respect for that team and that organization,” he said.
Red Sox fans give a standing ovation as Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones comes to bat during the first inning of Tuesday night’s game at Fenway.
Told about Machado’s tirade, Sale shrugged it off.
“Whatever, man. I’m not losing sleep tonight,” Sale said.
Jones, meanwhile, acknowledged the reception from the fans and Sale’s reaction. Earlier in the day, the Orioles center fielder received a personal apology from Red Sox team president Sam Kennedy on behalf of the club.
On Monday, Jones was targeted with racial slurs, and a bag of peanuts was thrown in his direction.
“Just appreciative that action was taken and not everybody feels the same way as selected people,” Jones said. “Sale, who works extremely fast, took his time and let it relish a little bit, so I appreciate the sentiments.”
Said Sale, a fellow All-Star: “I wanted to show him the respect he’s earned — he deserved. We have a great fan base here. I don’t want a few idiots to mess that up.”
“Boston fans came together and did the right thing today. Plain and simple. Adam’s one of the best players in the game. He’s very well respected. He’s a good guy. I know him. He’s a good person. I don’t think anybody deserves to go through anything like that,” he said.
But Sale didn’t treat Machado so warmly.
Emotions have been elevated since Machado injured Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia on a slide April 21 at Baltimore. Pedroia missed the next three games. Two days after the slide, Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes threw a fastball behind Machado’s head and was suspended.
Baltimore’s Dylan Bundy hit Mookie Betts near the left hip with a fastball in Monday’s series opener, drawing boos.
Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon can’t make the tag as the Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop scores on a double by Trey Mancini during the fifth inning Tuesday night.
After Sale threw behind Machado, plate umpire D.J. Reyburn immediately issued a warning to both teams. Orioles manager Buck Showalter came out for a lengthy discussion with Reyburn, Boston manager John Farrell remained in his dugout.
“Typically you don’t see it that early, and they’re going to determine there’s intent immediately,” Farrell said. “Obviously, with what’s being written about what’s transpired in the first six games or so that we’ve played, D.J. felt like it was an appropriate call.”
Sale (2-2) struck out the side in the first, getting Jones and Machado, and fanned 11 in eight innings.
Machado hit a ball completely out of the park for the second straight night, connecting off Sale in the seventh.
Sale wasn’t interested in a back-and-forth with Machado.
“That’s part of it,” Sale said. “I can’t speak on what he says. I don’t know what he said. I’m not too worried about it, either.”
Hanley Ramirez homered twice for Boston. The Red Sox also hit into a bizarre triple play that began when shortstop J.J. Hardy had a popup fall behind him in shallow left field.
Sale gave up three hits. Craig Kimbrel got three straight outs for his AL-leading ninth save in 10 chances.
Betts hit a two-run double.
Alec Asher (1-1) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings.
THE TRIPLE PLAY
Todo el mundo perdido, excepto Jonathan Schoop, en triple de #Orioles a #RedSox pic.twitter.com/04JUdFXBeQ
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) May 3, 2017
The triple play came in the eighth with Mitch Moreland on second and Dustin Pedroia on first. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a popup and Hardy called for the ball, but it dropped. The infield fly rule wasn’t called, and Hardy picked up the ball and threw to second, where Jonathan Schoop tagged Moreland and stepped on the base to force Pedroia. Schoop then threw to first to retire Bradley at first, who had peeled off and headed back to the dugout.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Knuckleballer Steven Wright was put on the 10-day DL with a sprained left knee, a move retroactive to Sunday. Wright is 1-3 in five starts with an 8.25 ERA. … RHP Brandon Workman was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz (2-1, 4.15) makes his fifth start of the season and third against Baltimore. He is 1-1 against the Orioles so far this season.
Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 7.50) gets another chance Wednesday against Boston, which opened with four straight hits against him in a 6-2 win for the Red Sox on April 23 in Baltimore.
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