ST. PETERSBURG — Saying a pitcher pushed is usually a compliment. Well, not this time.
Caballero had just been tagged out at third base. A bunt single thrown down the right field line by a rushing Justin Turner marked the end of a long journey. Cabrera was guarding the running back at third base, and when Caballero took a few steps off base, he and Cabrera collided with each other.
Words were exchanged, and just when it looked like the situation was going to calm down, Cabrera shoved Caballero.
“It was a heated moment. I think I overreacted a little bit. He looked at me and I just reacted,” Cabrera said through a club translator.
It looked like the Blue Jays' entire starting rotation was trying to pull Cabrera away, but shortstop Bo Bichette was the first to put his arm around Caballero, separating them and defusing the situation. As soon as both teams were on the field, they retreated to their respective dugouts and there were no further glimpses.
Genesis Cabrera: “It was an emotion. An emotion. The heat of the moment. It's part of the game sometimes, but it's over. It's over. That's where it ends.”
Jose Caballero: “I'm just playing baseball. I try to have fun playing baseball. I enjoy what I'm doing, and I don't want to get in trouble with anyone. But situations always come along. So I didn't want it to get any worse than it was. And unfortunately, he didn't think the same way. But that's it.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider: “I think for the most part they just ended up getting in each other's way, and that wasn't justified by anyone. As soon as someone raises their hand, you're going to defend yourself. . No history. No bad blood. I thought the referee did a good job. I thought it was Kevin. [Cash] And his team did a good job. It was just the heat of the moment. ”
Rays manager Kevin Cash: “That was a really great baseball play from Caballero. He came out with a big pick-me-up. We really needed that run. And overall, I was really impressed with the way he carried himself. handled it really, really well. … I was very encouraged, very impressed and proud of Caballero's response. Neither team let things get out of hand.”
Given how quickly the situation calmed down and the comments from each manager praising the way the club handled the situation in the aftermath, it's hard to imagine this is something that will spill over into Sunday's finale.
Cabrera said after the game that he had “no idea” whether he would be suspended, adding that he had no previous relationship with Caballero and had no bad blood.
“I hope that doesn't happen,” Schneider added. “The referees, Tampa, everyone handled it really well.” [Bay] And us. I hope that doesn't happen. That's one of the places where it happened and they issued a warning but everyone was fine with it. ”
