Pierzynski Unhappy After Being Hit By Pitch
(CBS) With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, White Sox closer Addison Reed plunked former teammate A.J. Pierzynski in the left shoulder with a fastball.
The former White Sox catcher, visibly upset, threw his bat toward the dugout, yelled a few words in Reed's direction and took his base, as the White Sox led 5-2 in Texas.
"I was mad," Pierzynski told the Tribune after the game. "(Reed) threw it up and in and shoulder high. It's fine if you're going to pitch me in, but don't come up and in, shoulder high."
Clinging to a three-run lead, White Sox manager Robin Ventura insisted the hit wasn't intentional.
"Listen, we're not trying to put anyone on," Ventura said. "With this lineup, you're not trying to send any messages or anything like that. We don't want anyone on base. In 30 seconds, they got the tying run to the plate. There was no message being sent."
After reporters informed Pierzynski the 24-year-old Reed said he didn't do it on purpose, the veteran catcher didn't seem to care much.
"Whatever," Pierzynski said. "That's fine. Whatever. They said it was unintentional. I have to believe them."
