Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz didn't like his teammate, Ryan Dempster, plunking New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez on Sunday. Big Papi said the hit "woke up a monster in the Yankees," who came back to win, 9-6.
"I didn't like it. I don't think it was the right thing to do," Ortiz told USA Today Sports. "But we don't all think alike, and the guy who did it, Dempster, is a great guy. It's not that I didn't think it was right because Alex and I are friends, because once you cross the white lines, everyone's on their own.
"But we've got Tampa right on our heels, and that pitch woke up a monster in the Yankees' team at that moment. You saw how the game ended up. CC (Sabathia) was throwing 91 (mph) and started throwing 96. Alex later hit one way out there. You're talking about a good team that you can't wake up. But we learn from our mistakes.
It took four fastballs from Dempster to finally nail Rodriguez during the slugger's first at-bat. The pitch connected with Rodriguez's elbow and sent him to first base. Rodriguez retaliated in the sixth inning with a solo homer off a Dempster pitch, sparking his team to a comeback win.
"Whether you like me or hate, that was wrong," Rodriguez told ESPN on Sunday, after the game. "That was unprofessional and silly. It was kind of a silly way to get someone hurt on your team."
Dempster said he didn't intentionally try to hit Rodriguez, but the pitcher was also unapologetic.
"I always put my team first," Dempster said, via USA Today Sports. "I was throwing the ball really well until that sixth inning (when he gave up four runs and the lead) and giving us a chance to win, and I just didn't complete my job. If I would have done a better job, I think it would have been a non-issue."
The MLB suspended Dempster on Wednesday for five games, although he's unlikely to miss a start.
