{"id":91161,"date":"2026-05-06T00:58:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T00:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/framber-valdez-ejected-as-benches-clear-between-tigers-and-red-sox\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T00:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T00:58:08","slug":"framber-valdez-ejected-as-benches-clear-between-tigers-and-red-sox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/framber-valdez-ejected-as-benches-clear-between-tigers-and-red-sox\/","title":{"rendered":"Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear between Tigers and Red Sox"},"content":{"rendered":"


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DETROIT \u2014 Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was ejected from Tuesday night\u2019s game against the Boston Red Sox after hitting Trevor Story and sparking a benches-clearing incident.<\/p>\n

After surrendering back-to-back home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu in the fourth inning, Valdez\u2019s next pitch to Story was a 94 mph fastball that drilled Story between the letters on the back of his jersey.<\/p>\n

Story reacted strongly, and though home-plate umpire Adam Beck restrained him, the Red Sox dugout quickly emptied as players spilled onto the field.<\/p>\n

Both benches emptied as the confrontation followed Story down the first-base line. There were no punches thrown or shoving, but Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and Contreras did exchange words as bullpen pitchers ran onto the field.<\/p>\n

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The benches clear between the Red Sox and Tigers after HBP pic.twitter.com\/T5GkZTmRNv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken2) May 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Before the incident, Contreras had stood and watched the ball soar, a 449-foot shot to left-center, then flipped his bat toward the on-deck circle before beginning his home-run trot.<\/p>\n

There was no definitive proof the hit-by-pitch was intentional.<\/p>\n

Valdez\u2019s ejection was the latest in a series of questionable occurrences throughout his career, including a situation last season when Valdez, then with the Houston Astros, crossed up catcher C\u00e9sar Salazar, prompting speculation about whether the pitch was thrown with malintent.<\/p>\n

In the immediate aftermath and even into this spring, Valdez said that incident was not intentional.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously it was a moment where I got crossed up,\u201d Valdez said in February. \u201cIt was the heat of the moment. Adrenaline was going. I did my best to apologize after the fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, questions about Valdez\u2019s makeup might have played into the reason his market was diminished this winter, setting the stage for the Tigers to acquire him on a three-year, $115 million deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s an incredible competitor, and, I think, sometimes the emotions come with that, and I do like that,\u201d Hinch said at the time. \u201cI want to let him speak for himself when it comes to what\u2019s left behind, but I\u2019m excited to add him. \u2026 The production is there. The personality is there, and his preparation is incredible. So you put all that together, we\u2019re bringing him into our clubhouse with open arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Tarik Skubal set for surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow and 12 other Tigers on the major-league injured list, Valdez is tasked with help keeping Detroit afloat into the summer.<\/p>\n

When Valdez first stepped on the mound Tuesday, he had a 3.35 ERA.<\/p>\n

Now \u2014 after surrendering 10 runs, seven of them earned in three innings Tuesday \u2014 his ERA is 4.57. If he were to face disciplinary action, it would place further strain on a Tigers\u2019 pitching staff that can hardly afford it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n