Upset about being hit numerous times and being pitched high and tight all season by the Newark Bears, Jason Aspito took offense after being hit for the fourth time by Newark. Newark starter Edgar Martinez plunked Aspito in the calf on the first pitch of his at bat in the first inning. Aspito immediately turned to Newark catcher Salomon Manriquez and the two talked. It appeared nothing would happen until Martinez ran to home plate and grabbed Aspito from behind with both hands.
Both teams' benches and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown.
After a long conference Martinez and Aspito were ejected.
Aspito warned of this very incident if Newark continued its approach of pitching inside after York's victory Tuesday.
Aspito had words for Newark players during Tuesday's win, when they continued to pitch him high and tight. He explained his reaction to reporters after the game.
"I guess these guys have a scouting report on me or something because I've been hit three times and there have been a number of pitches up near my head," Aspito said. "That's fine, I understand that you've got to move somebody's feet. You miss too many times in there ... that's when things escalate. That's all I'm saying."
"Come in there all you want. But if you start missing too many times up in this area, I'm a fiery guy. I'm playing to win too."
The game resumed with the bases loaded and, after Tom Collaro hit a weak roller back to the pitcher for the second out of the inning, Matt Padgett clubbed a grand slam. York wouldn't score again as Newark rallied for six unanswered runs in a 6-4 victory in the 11th inning. Newark outhit York 14-6, and the Revs fell a franchise-record 21 games under .500.
The Daily Record story, with reaction from Aspito and Manriquez, can be found here.
And in about the time it took me to read that, the ump's could have figured that out instead of taking 20 minutes or however long it was (seemed like forever!). Not every game you see a grand slam and bench clearing scuffle in the first inning.
It was absurd that Aspito got tossed. Last night's umps couldn't have been any more incompetent. They spent twice as much time huddled up as it took to break up the fight and they still got things wrong.
Oneli Perez was not in the dugout when the fight broke out. Apparently he was still in the clubhouse. I'm assuming if he was not in the dugout, he probably was not in uniform. So while the conference between the umpires took a long time, the delay was lengthened by the fact Perez needed to get on the field AND THEN warm up. The rules allow for the pitcher to take as long as he needs to warm up ... but shouldn't he be on the field?