Benches empty after Diaz throws 98-mph pitch up and in on Balentien
Un pitcheo pegada de Edwin Díaz provoca que, parcialmente, los jugadores del duogut salgan al terreno de juego, no hubo más consecuencias. pic.twitter.com/q4A9cTTVPe
— Emmanuel Campa (@elcampa21) March 21, 2017
With a shot at advancing to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic on the line, emotions were running high during a 10th inning at-bat between Puerto Rico closer Edwin Diaz and Netherlands right fielder Wladimir Balentien.
Balentien and Diaz were jawing at one another during the first two pitches before the fiery right-hander went up and in on the WBC home run leader with a 98-mph fastball.
More words were exchanged, with Balentien taking exception with the location of the pitch and pointing to his head. The benches for both teams cleared briefly but things were quickly defused.
Diaz would strike out Balentien on a 99-mph fastball to end the at-bat.
"I knew I could beat him with my fastball," Diaz said at a postgame press conference.
It doesn't much sexier than Edwin Diaz painting the outside corner at 99mph with life. Gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/1YQis3ashd
— Pitcher List (@ThePitcherList) March 21, 2017
HEADLINES
- Crochet shines in 1st start after Red Sox extension: 'Reason he's here'
- D-Backs sign Marte to 6-year extension worth reported $116.5M
- Damn the torpedoes: Limited data won't quell orders for new bats
- Dodgers' Sasaki looks to bounce back after rough debut
- Suzuki homers twice as Cubs rout A's for sweep in Sacramento