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Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez drew the ire of his own manager Tuesday night after he hit Boston Red Sox batter Trevor Story with a pitch in the fourth inning, prompting the benches to empty.
Valdez struck out Story after allowing home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu. Valdez’s pitch to Story’s body came in at 94 mph. History stared down Valdez as Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and home plate umpire Adam Beck got between the two.
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Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch talks with Boston Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras after Trevor Story was hit by a pitch during the fourth inning in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)
Players and personnel from both teams came out of the dugout, but no punches were thrown.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch wasn’t too happy with Valdez after the game.
“We’re playing really good baseball here. It didn’t feel like it,” Hinch said, via ESPN . “It’s not to judge the intent; I have no idea. But I know when you go out on the field and you end up in those confrontations, you usually feel like you’re right. And it didn’t feel good to be out there.”
“So I understand their frustrations. I understand the moment and it was a low moment of a frustrating night,” Hinch continued.
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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)
Valdez, who was ejected, said through an interpreter that his actions were not intentional.
“It wasn’t on purpose,” he said. “It might look like it, but it wasn’t. I was trying to throw strikes after the two consecutive home runs. I was trying to go back in the zone and the pitch came out of my hand.”
The story disputed Valdez’s claim.
“It’s pretty undeniable,” he said. “I was in there ready to hit and it came up way behind me and outside the numbers. We all know what’s what.”
Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras is congratulated by interim third base coach Chad Epperson after hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)
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Boston won the game 10-3.
