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Victor Martinez rips Pirates after HBP: 'I have no respect for no one on that team'

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday's beanfest between the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates fortunately left no one injured. Physically, at least.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez took verbal shots at the Pirates after getting plunked in the fourth inning by what he says was a retaliation pitch from right-hander Gerrit Cole.

"Yeah, everyone knows that," Martinez told 97.1-FM’s Jeff Riger when asked whether he thought the beaning was intentional. "I mean, I have no respect for no one on that team, including Cole and their coaching staff. If they think that (Justin) Verlander hit (Starling) Marte with a 1-2 count, he was battling that at-bat. If they really think we did it on purpose, they're playing the wrong sport. Nothing else to say."

No one was hurt or ejected from Pittsburgh's 5-4 win, despite four players - including three Pirates - getting hit. Pirates star Andrew McCutchen, incidentally, sounded off last week after he was plunked for a second straight game.

"Maybe I need to drop-kick a pitcher," he said. "Maybe that'll scare them into not throwing me in."

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