The Kansas City Royals are beginning to show some frustration during a six-game slide, and the Baltimore Orioles are not backing down from the fight.
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Ventura reared back and fired a 99-mph fastball, the fastest of his 59 pitches on the night, directly into the back of Machado, who immediately stormed the mound.
In April 2015, Ventura exchanged worth with Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton, leading to a benches clearing brawl in Chicago.
Ventura’s 159km/h pitch swerved in towards Machado, causing him to turn before the ball struck him in the lower back. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Kansas City pitchers. “I wanted him to be aware of it”. The performance puzzled Yost and left the Royals winless during the first six games of a 10-game road trip.
“He got a do-over”, Orioles Manager Buck Showalter said.
Baltimore has won six of seven.
Kansas City lost five in a row earlier this season and has been inconsistent at times.
“He came out here with a vengeance”, Machado said.
“Everybody knows what kind of player he is”, Ventura said through an interpreter. “You’ve got to tip your hat to them”.
Niese pitched seven scoreless innings against NY and Josh Harrison had three hits as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Mets, 3-1, on Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
During his second session at home plate, he managed to hit a long ball into left field that looked to be going the distance before it was slapped back to earth by the wind.
The Orioles are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing.
In 12 starts this season, Ventura is now just 4-4 with a 5.32 ERA.
Volquez also has struggled lately.
The Royals would go on to win the game, 3-2.
Baltimore’s Mike Wright admittedly pitched with a “vengeance” when given another shot at staying in the Orioles’ starting rotation. Yovani Gallardo had a rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk Tuesday and could be in line to make a start on Sunday in Toronto.
“I’m not happy about it at all”, Showalter said.
But the game’s most striking moment came in the fifth inning, when Ventura (4-4) drilled Machado just under his No. 13 as the two-time All-Star turned away. However, the damage of Tuesday night’s 9-1 loss in Baltimore isn’t limited to the standings. OF Alex Gordon (wrist) is improving to the point where he can begin to catch and throw, Yost said.
Kansas City is looking to avoid a second straight series sweep on Wednesday.
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Royals’ Yordano Ventura plunked the Orioles’ Manny Machado in the fifth, resulting in an altercation. If anything comes out of this, it’s a reminder of the same thing people in baseball were saying a year ago, the same thing they’ll continue to say until it actually happens. “(Ventura) needs some help”.
