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Aaron Boone had a simple 4-word reaction to the turmoil during the eighth inning of the Pirates-Yankees game Monday night at Yankee Stadium.
“Boys will be boys,” Boone told reporters following New York’s 8-5 victory fueled by two homers from Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The fireworks erupted in the eighth after Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana became frustrated as Jose Caballero continually manipulated the pitch timer by waiting until the very last second to get set in the batter’s box. Caballero has become known for this deliberate timing strategy in a ploy to disrupt the pitcher’s rhythm and force timer violations.
After Santana got Caballero to ground into an inning-ending double play, the pitcher blew a kiss to Caballero, walked towards him at first base and voiced some words in his direction. Santana had to be held back by Pirates catcher Rafael Flores Jr. and tensions escalated with both benches and bullpens briefly emptying.
Asked if he thought Santana was upset about the pitch clock tactic, Caballero said, “I’m guessing so. For me, I grounded out into a double play. He got what he wanted. He should go to the other side and he was walking to the wrong side.”
He added that Santana should not be upset at him, but at Major League Baseball for the rule itself.
“At this point he’s lucky that he doesn’t get a ball right away,” Caballero explained. “At this point it’s been four years with the same rules, we all should know about the rules. The whole league should know who I am, what I do at the box and they should be aware of it. And for you to get mad at something that the league’s implementing in this league, you shouldn’t be mad at me, you should be mad at someone else”
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For Tuesday’s matchup between the Yankees and the Pirates, the over/under is sitting at 9.5 total rus on DraftKings. Our comprehensive DraftKings Sportsbook review shows you how to sign up and use their app.
Boone said he’s surprised more hitters don’t employ the tactic Caballero is using. David Cone said on the YES Network during a recent game that it also serves to distract the pitcher if there’s a runner on first base, making him less likely to throw over to first while he awaits Caballero to get ready in the box.
“It’s part of his process of getting mentally ready to hit and frankly, I think more guys should employ it,” Boone told reporters. “That way you take the pitcher out of having all the ability to disrupt timing.”
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