“Just slipped out of there” - Victor Gonzalez denies hitting Gunnar Henderson on purpose as Yankees vs Orioles rivalry intensifies
New York Yankees reliever Victor Gonzalez has been in the spotlight after executing a high fastball that caught Baltimore Orioles' Gunnar Henderson. The Yankees and Orioles series continue to get heated up ever since Aaron Judge took a hit for the team from a hit by pitch in the opening game.
Judge was hit by a 94.1 mph fastball from Albert Suarez and was forced to exit the contest as a result. Yankees fans were upset with the incident as their captain stayed out for the second game after being cleared of any serious injury via scans. While both teams were locked in an intense battle, Gonzalez threw a pitch that hit Henderson, bringing him down to his knees.
While many believed it was intended to take revenge for the hit on Judge, Gonzalez clarified that his pitch was not on purpose. In a postgame interview on Yes Network, the pitcher addressed the issue of hitting Henderson:
"You're trying to executive pitches when you're out there and competing. We're trying to execute an inside pitch there. Every time you're out there, you're trying to execute the best pitch you can. Like I said, it just slipped out there," Gonzalez said.
When asked about the intensity of the AL East rivals, he said that both teams are battling at a high level for the division:
"You have two teams that are battling for the division. Everybody is competing. You wanna make sure you execute and you do the best you can to give you team the best shot possible," Gonzalez continued.
Victor Gonzalez fails to get a save
The Mexican pitcher was forced to come off the mound after the seventh inning as he surrendered an RBI double. He was unable to get the save as he struggled to keep the Orioles from scoring.
The southpaw increased his ERA to 3.22 with a 2-1 record this season. Clay Holmes suffered the loss for the team as the Orioles triumphed with their offense 7-6 on the night. Gerrit Cole's limited innings seemed to have restricted the Yankees. Cole's return was much anticipated, but the Bronx Bombers restricted him to less than five innings.
Both clubs will play the third and final game at Yankee Stadium with the series on the line on Thursday. The Bronx Bombers then host the Atlanta Braves for their next three-game series beginning on Friday.