Was Yankees' Dickerson Drilled On Purpose? Orioles Pitcher Says No
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Chris Dickerson's beaning may not have been intentional, but it sure was scary.
After allowing a pivotal two-run double to Robinson Cano in the 15th inning of Wednesday night's Yankees win, Orioles pitcher Mike Gonzalez struck Dickerson in the head with a fastball. Gonzalez was immediately ejected, and Dickerson remained motionless on the ground for several minutes.
After being helped to his feet, Dickerson — who had borrowed teammate Jorge Posada's batting helmet after his was cracked by the pitch — walked to first base before leaving the game.
"You have to assume that he's probably got a concussion," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
Dickerson was taken to University of Maryland Hospital for a CAT scan.
"He was lucid and he knew where he was. He had a lump on his head," Girardi said. "You have to do everything precautionary now. We're just making sure he's OK. It's standard operating procedure."
Asked if he thought Gonzalez tried to hit Dickerson intentionally, Girardi said, "I don't get into that. It's just a scary part of the game when a guy gets hit there."
Gonzalez insisted that the pitch was not thrown intentionally inside.
"No way, shape or form was I trying to hit Dickerson or anything like that," he said. "In fact, I was trying to throw a fastball down and away. It got away from me and I'm sorry it hit him."
The right-hander was surprised about being ejected from the game, but said the moment was almost surreal.
"It was kind of shocking. I hit him and obviously I get thrown out, and I was more worried about how he was doing down there," Gonzalez said. "First of all, I didn't understand why (he was ejected) and second of all, Dickerson is down there on the ground and that's the last thing you want to see."
"It was tough for me," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "First of all, you take a deep breath. Regardless of what decision that umpire makes, a young umpire just starting out in the major leagues, you've got a guy laying on the ground, and you don't know how seriously he's hurt. I have a lot of concerns for that. I'm not going to go out there and vehemently argue while a guy's laying on the ground."
Was the beaning intentional? Let us know what you think below...
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