Mark Teixeira: Vicente Padilla of Boston Red Sox ‘Throws at People’
July 7, 2012 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
As if the fireworks display of offense wasn’t enough during Friday’s 10-8 New York Yankees win over the Boston Red Sox, first baseman Mark Teixeira added a little extra fuel to the fire after the contest.
Teixeira was responsible for the two-run, game-winning triple in the top of the seventh, a hit that came off of a former teammate of his, Vicente Padilla.
Teixeira had some things to say about Padilla in a postgame interview. Via Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News:
“The guy throws at people,” said Teixeira. “Fact of the matter, I’m not saying anything that’s news. It is what it is. I’ve always been someone that wants to play the game the right way. You play hard, but you don’t play cheap.
“Almost every at-bat, he tries to throw at your head, does a throw behind you or something screwy. With first and second and the game on the line, he’s not going to do it then, so I could actually dig in and look for a good pitch to hit.”
In their days with the Texas Rangers, Padilla built up a reputation as a pitcher who routinely hit batters on purpose. Teixeira had asked him to stop because he would subsequently be hit in retaliation. Padilla refused the request.
Teixeira actually felt comfortable in his at-bat during the seventh inning. He knew that Padilla would not try any funny business and risk putting more runners on in the tight situation. The Yankees had already scored two runs that inning to tie the score at eight.
It’s unknown as to what sparked this in Teixeira, as Padilla did not once throw in his direction. The Yankees and Red Sox play 15 more times against each other this season, and it will be very interesting to see how many more times we get to see a Teixeira/Padilla matchup.
At this point in time, it’s advantage: Teixeira.
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