Benches empty after Diaz throws 98-mph pitch up and in on Balentien
Un pitcheo pegada de Edwin Díaz provoca que, parcialmente, los jugadores del duogut salgan al terreno de juego, no hubo más consecuencias. pic.twitter.com/q4A9cTTVPe
— Emmanuel Campa (@elcampa21) March 21, 2017
With a shot at advancing to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic on the line, emotions were running high during a 10th inning at-bat between Puerto Rico closer Edwin Diaz and Netherlands right fielder Wladimir Balentien.
Balentien and Diaz were jawing at one another during the first two pitches before the fiery right-hander went up and in on the WBC home run leader with a 98-mph fastball.
More words were exchanged, with Balentien taking exception with the location of the pitch and pointing to his head. The benches for both teams cleared briefly but things were quickly defused.
Diaz would strike out Balentien on a 99-mph fastball to end the at-bat.
"I knew I could beat him with my fastball," Diaz said at a postgame press conference.
It doesn't much sexier than Edwin Diaz painting the outside corner at 99mph with life. Gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/1YQis3ashd
— Pitcher List (@ThePitcherList) March 21, 2017
HEADLINES
- 2025 MLB Draft: Running analysis of Day 1
- Nationals surprise by taking prep star Eli Willits 1st overall in MLB draft
- Rockies select Ethan Holliday, brother of Jackson, 4th in MLB draft
- 'You gotta live up to the hype': The pressure of being MLB's No. 1 pick
- Home Run Derby betting preview: Trust Wood, Cruz to put on a show