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Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez drew the ire of his own manager Tuesday night after hitting Boston Red Sox batter Trevor Story with a pitch in the fourth inning, causing the benches to clear.
Valdez hit Story after allowing home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu. Valdez’s throw to Story’s body hit 94 mph. Story stared at Valdez as Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and home plate umpire Adam Beck stood between the two.
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Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch talks with Boston Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras after Trevor Story was hit by a pitch during the fourth inning in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (José Juárez/AP)
Players and staff from both teams came off the bench, but no punches were thrown.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch was not very happy with Valdez after the game.
“We played very good baseball here. It didn’t feel like that to me,” Hinch said, via ESPN. “It’s not about judging intent; I have no idea. But I know that when you go out on the field and you end up in those confrontations, you generally feel like you’re within your rights. And it didn’t feel good being out there.”
“So I understand their frustrations. I understand the timing, and it was a low point in a frustrating night,” Hinch continued.
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Detroit Tigers starter Framber Valdez pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (José Juárez/AP)
Valdez, who was ejected, said through an interpreter that his actions were not intentional.
“It wasn’t intentional,” he said. “It might seem like it, but it wasn’t. I was trying to throw strikes after the two straight home runs. I was trying to get back into the zone and that pitch went out of my hand.”
Story disputed Valdez’s claim.
“It’s pretty indisputable,” he said. “He was there ready to hit and he showed up way behind me and outside the numbers. We all know what’s what.”
Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras is congratulated by interim third base coach Chad Epperson after hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (José Juárez/AP)
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Boston won the game, 10-3.
