Rays' Diaz believes Yankees' Adams plunked him on purpose
The war of words - and plunkings - between the top two teams in the AL East continues.
New York Yankees reliever Chance Adams hit Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yandy Diaz on the hand with a pitch during Sunday's series finale, and the slugger thought there was intent behind the toss.
"Yeah," Diaz told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times through translator Manny Navarro when asked if he was hit deliberately. "I don't know (why). Maybe because I hit two home runs off them at home (on May 11)."
Diaz's anger comes two days after CC Sabathia appeared to attempt an intentional throw at Austin Meadows in Friday's series opener. That incident came one week after Sabathia took his frustration with the Rays to the media, stating that Yonny Chirinos plunking Luke Voit - intentional or not - was "stupid."
Sabathia earned a five-game suspension near the end of last season for intentionally hitting Rays catcher Jesus Sucre.
Diaz was originally worried about a potential injury, but X-rays came back negative and the corner infielder is listed as day-to-day.
"At first I thought I might have broken my wrist," he admitted. "Of course it's frustrating. There isn't anything you can do about it. It happened."
Diaz wasn't the only Rays player to get plunked Sunday, as Daniel Robertson took a pitch to the front of the helmet from Chad Green during the second inning. After a brief delay, the utility man stayed in the game.
"Obviously it scared the poop out of me. It got me pretty good," Robertson told Topkin, adding he did not believe it was intentional. "Thankfully, as of now, I'm not feeling any effects from it."
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