CLEVELAND (AP) -Gary Sheffield was still angry a day after he was involved in a brawl with the Cleveland Indians.
The Detroit Tigers designated hitter was hit by a pitch from Fausto Carmona in the seventh inning Friday night, an incident that led to a bench-clearing brawl. Sheffield and Carmona were ejected, as was Indians catcher Victor Martinez and Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco.
Sheffield said Friday night he wouldn’t forget the actions of several Indians players during the brawl. He was still unhappy before Saturday’s game and directed most of his comments at Martinez, who was pointing at the Tigers veteran while being dragged away from the fight.
“He hasn’t done anything in this game,” Sheffield said. “He’s had a couple of (good) years. When you have a catcher chirping like he’s something special … like he’s done something. He hasn’t done anything.”
Martinez, who missed two months this season because of elbow surgery, took a .301 batting average into 2008. The switch-hitter has batted .300 or better three times, topped the 100 RBI mark twice and has made two All-Star teams.
ile Sheffield said Carmona has hit him three times this season, Friday night actually marked the second time it has happened. Sheffield says Martinez has “chirped” at him on each occasion.
“He needs to watch his mouth,” Sheffield said. “He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.”
Sheffield was in the lineup Saturday while Martinez didn’t start. Indians manager Eric Wedge said the day off for Martinez was planned before the series and he will catch Sunday.
Martinez, who said Friday that Sheffield should keep his mouth shut and play the game, was unavailable for comment Saturday.
The incident occurred after Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer off Carmona, giving Detroit a 4-2 lead. One out later, Carmona hit Sheffield in the left elbow. Sheffield walked slowly to first base, carrying his bat and glaring at Carmona.
“Every time I get hit, it’s because someone hit a home run,” Sheffield said. “Why am I the one getting hit?”
Carmona threw to first on a pickoff attempt. Sheffield motioned, yelled, then charged the pitcher. Both players threw punches before Carmona got Sheffield in a headlock and landed more punches as both dugouts and bullpens emptied.
Sheffield was also upset with Indians second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, who hit Sheffield on top of his head a couple of times while he was in Carmona’s headlock. Sheffield said Friday night he watched the tape and saw what Cabrera did.
“He’ll get taken care of, trust me,” Sheffield said. “If you take a cheap shot at me, I’ll never forget it. I won’t forget it until the day I die.”
Sheffield said Friday Indians reliever Rafael Perez was another player who was yelling at him. He referred to Perez as the “skinny guy from the bullpen.”
Asked about upcoming suspensions, Wedge said, “That’s always a possibility. We haven’t heard anything. I’m sure we’ll hear something at some point.”
The Tigers are playing this series without manager Jim Leyland, who suspended for three games for his actions during consecutive road games against the Texas Rangers earlier in the week.
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