The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays are currently battling it out for a a spot in the playoffs and after what happened Saturday night it seems like there might be some bad blood between these two AL East teams.
The benches cleared after the top of the eighth inning after Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks had some words for Baltimore’s Robinson Chirinos. You see, Chirinos had the nerve to call time before a pitch and the home plate ump granted him the time out.
Fairbanks was not happy about that and let Chirinos know about it after striking out the Orioles’ catcher. If Fairbanks should have been mad at anyone (he shouldn’t have), it should have been the ump who allowed the late time out call.
Here’s how things played out:
Tensions are boiling over between the O's and Rays in a series that could have major implications in the playoff race pic.twitter.com/gDWDfxrSkP
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 13, 2022
Again, Fairbanks needs to chill out a little. There’s no need to be mad at Chirinos there. Also, good for the Orioles for not taking any of that lame stuff from Fairbanks.
The Rays won the game and hold a half-game lead over the Orioles for the final wild-card spot. There’s lots of baseball left to be played but it feels like things just got a little more personal between these teams.
Twitter had reactions to that scuffle.
If a pitcher is pumped up coming off the mound and the batter takes exception, I’d say that’s on the batter.
But uhh … Fairbanks yelled at Chirinos because … the home plate umpire granted time late. Think you’re mad at the wrong person, bro 😂 https://t.co/TSy9CvYEcc
— Dillon Atkinson (@DillonTAtkinson) August 14, 2022
Shouldn’t Fairbanks be mad at the ump for giving a hitter time that late?Also, that Orioles roster is a bunch of FL boys. Would love to watch them scrap tbh https://t.co/QyI5uLfgc9
— Joe (@SoFlaSix) August 14, 2022
playoff type intensity I love it also Fairbanks is soft as charmin https://t.co/t59691ye9Y
— Sachiko🦬✨⭕️🌰 (@716sachiko) August 14, 2022
Fairbanks scared of a backup catcher lol https://t.co/sd4JQtm0jN
— sam‼️ (@ChknBucketHal) August 14, 2022
Lol If Fairbanks wanna Jaw at another player don’t do it while walking towards your Bench. That’s Cowardly and a “Hold Me Back” Move. He did not want no smoke. https://t.co/7BguT4bUEU
— CJ Burgos (@2burgos) August 14, 2022
I don’t know that I would chirp Chirinos when the umpire granted time at the last possible second. Also, you trying to get KOd by Odor? https://t.co/DoargtrFeI
— Mike Hartel (@Mike_Hartel15) August 14, 2022
Fairbanks = 🤡 https://t.co/mUNlUyatam
— PAY XANDER PLZ (@onch51155) August 14, 2022
Odor always ready for the smoke lol https://t.co/WkYY7piTyE
— Chick Deagan (@Still_Dre536) August 14, 2022
Pitchers are the worst https://t.co/MJOiWjXbmt
— Payton Coss (@payton_coss) August 13, 2022
Fairbanks is such a loser lmao. Odor should have clocked his ass. https://t.co/GUgqExXWyW
— Joshua Snyder 🐗🇺🇸 (@JoshuaSnyderAR) August 13, 2022