Before the fireworks of Aaron Judge’s home run, there were the fireworks of a sudden ejection when Yimi Garcia plunked Josh Donaldson two pitches after Giancarlo Stanton tied the game with a three-run home run.
The Blue Jays couldn’t believe the ejection, and the Yankees themselves were even surprised, despite many players barking out a Garcia after Donaldson was hit on the elbow guard.
“I was probably a little surprised,” Aaron Boone said. “I don’t think anything was intentional or anything, but obviously a game-tying homer and then a no-doubt squaring him up, but I don’t think there was intent.”
But Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said the explanation he received was that the ejection came because of a heated exchange between Donaldson and Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman, which occurred earlier in the game and put the umpiring crew on high alert.
Donaldson confirmed that an exchange happened between the two.
“We had a discussion, for sure,” Donaldson said. “We’re competitive. We’re competing out there. I don’t know, it just depends on how you interpret it I guess.”
Donaldson also seemed to throw a little shade at Heineman when discussing the incident.
“I don’t even know the guy. I didn’t even know that was his name,” Donaldson said. “Never heard of him.”
Still, Donaldson doesn’t believe the pitch from Garcia was intentional.
“I would normally say no,” Donaldson said. “Going back and looking at it, you don't really see too many balls thrown at somebody like that. In my heart of hearts I don't think it was. It doesn't look good on television, that's for sure.”
Montoyo was later tossed for yelling at the umpires when a pitch came up and in at Bo Bichette later in the game, but Boone said there was no way the Yanks were looking to retaliate after Stanton tied the game.
“We’re back in this game,” Boone said. “The last thing we’re gonna do is put the second guy on with Vladdy coming up. No chance.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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