McCutchen Upset Over Being Hit by Chapman

The Pittsburgh Pirates aren't saying it directly but one can tell by their non-answers and cryptic statement  that they were and are upset with the pitch that hit Andrew McCutchen.

"If you are going to ask me questions about the ninth inning, you can leave right now," said McCutchen to reporters of the inning in which Chapman hit the Pirates' star in the shoulder.

Dusty Baker is a veteran of many bean ball incidents.  He is not shy about hitting an opposing batter for violating baseball protocol. Baker understands the Pirates might want to retaliate by hitting one of the Reds.

"He's one of the top players in the game.  It's to be expected.  I'd be upset too.  It hurts," Baker said before Saturday's game.  "There was no intent.  Chapman was just trying to come inside.  McCutchen hasn't done anything to merit being thrown at.  He doesn't clown.  He doesn't showboat.  All he does is play hard. "
"I asked Chapman. He said no it wasn't intentional.  Chapman said that he was hot and he was just trying to come inside.  There isn't much difference between a strike or a hit batter."

Baker did not apologize.

"I'm sorry if they took it that way.  There is nothing I can do about it," Baker said.

It will probably make no difference to the Pirates that it was unintentional.  Baseball ethics dictate if your best player is hit, you hit one of theirs.

The response is not always immediate.  The Reds earlier this year buzzed Derek Lowe for hitting Joey Votto two years ago.

Votto would be the likely target.  Jay Bruce is tough on the Pirates and he might have to duck.  Brandon Phillips rubs opponents the wrong was at times and he might not want to dig in either.

The Pirates are scratching and clawing to stay close in the race so they may file the issue for action at a later date.  Stay tuned.

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