Torii Hunter Not Thrilled With Red Sox Bullpen Cop
Torii Hunter is wondering why Boston police officer Steve Horgan didn’t try to help him when he dived into the Red Sox bullpen in the 8th inning last night.
The Detroit Tigers pitching had totally dominated Boston up to that point over two games, and the Tigers seemed on their way to an nearly insurmountable 2-0 lead in the American League Championship series. The Sox had mustered just one hit in game one, and were also no-hit by Max Scherzer for 5-2/3 innings in game two. As the Boston Herald points out, “Through the series’ first 16 innings, the Sox were 3-for-49 (.061) with a whopping 30 strikeouts.”
In the 8th inning with the Tigers leading 5-1, the Sox loaded the bases, however, and Ortiz went deep with two outs against closer Joaquin Benoit. The ball sailed into the home bullpen just out of the reach of the tumbling Hunter to tie the game.
To complete the stunning comeback, the Sox went on to win in the bottom of the 9th on a walk-off single by Jarrod Saltalamacchia that scored Jonny Gomes.
Of the loss at Fenway Park last night,Torii Hunter told reporters in Detroit today that “This is the postseason,I’d die on the field for this. You’re not going to take me off this field. I was trying my best to just stop that ball from going over the fence.I’d sacrifice my body if I have to. I’ve done that my whole career.” Starting tomorrow night, the next three games are at Comerica Park in Motown.
As tweeted by MLB.com writer Anthony Castrovince, Hunter is less than pleased with bullpen cop Steve Gorgan, who the whole world saw celebrating the Big Papi home run. See tweets embedded below.
According to ESPN, “As soon as he realized Hunter might have hurt himself on the play, Horgan quickly went over, checked on him and called for help just in case. The Red Sox pitchers in the bullpen also checked on Hunter, and a Detroit team trainer came running out from the dugout to tend to him.” Fortunately, Hunter apparently avoided any serious injury, and the right fielder will be back in the lineup tomorrow night.
About the Ortiz clutch hit, Horgan said that “I couldn’t even hear myself it was so loud, I can’t believe it. I don’t know what to think. I can’t believe it. It was an awesome feeling.”
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Hunter thanked the #RedSox relievers who tried to help. "They tried to take care of human life. Unlike the cop." #Tigers— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) October 14, 2013
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Hunter added: "I wish I would have kicked him in his face." That was all said in jest. I think. #Tigers #RedSox— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) October 14, 2013
Torii Hunter on the Bullpen Cop: "He's supposed to be protect and serve. This son of a gun’s got his hands up! Help me, then cheer, fool!"
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) October 14, 2013
