Tigers Manager Blasts Valdez for Hitting Story, Sparking Bench-Clearing Incident

Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez hit Boston Red Sox batter Trevor Story with a pitch Tuesday night, prompting his manager's criticism and a bench-clearing incident in the fourth inning.

Valdez plunked Story after giving up home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu. The 94 mph pitch struck Story in the body. Story stared down Valdez as Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and home plate umpire Adam Beck stepped between them.

Players and staff from both teams poured out of the dugouts, but no punches were thrown.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch expressed displeasure with Valdez after the game.

"We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn't feel like it," Hinch said, via ESPN. "It's not judging intent; I have no idea. But I know when you go out on the field and you end up sort of in those confrontations, you usually feel like you're in your right. And it didn't feel good being out there."

"So I understand their frustrations. I understand the moment, and it was a low moment of a frustrating night," Hinch continued.

Valdez, who was ejected, said through an interpreter that the pitch was not intentional.

"It was not intentional," he said. "It might look like it, but it wasn't. I was trying to throw strikes after the two consecutive home runs. I was trying to go back in the zone and that pitch came out of my hand."

Story rejected Valdez's explanation.

"It’s pretty undisputable," he said. "I was in there ready to hit and it showed up way behind me and off the numbers. We all know what’s what."

Boston won the game, 10-3.