Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jered Weaver took exception to Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager's antics in the batter's box on Thursday, so he threw at him.
Weaver unloaded an 83-mph fastball towards Seager's right elbow after the latter repeatedly signaled for time while in the batter's box, drawing the pitcher's ire of the pitcher.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Weaver was ejected immediately by home plate umpire Brian O'Nora and said following the game that he became agitated by what he believes was Seager intentionally wasting time.
"It just looks like he's set and he's ready to go," Weaver told reporters. "It's not when he's ready, it's when we're both ready. I was on the rubber ready to go, he's standing in the box. Just because he has his hands up doesn't really mean anything. If you're going to do that, step out of the box or keep a foot out or do something.
"When you've got both feet planted in there and you're looking at me, I assume that you're ready to go. I don't know if Derek Jeter did that in his third or fourth year or not. I don't know. It seemed like he was ready and I was ready, so I was ready to make a pitch."
Seager made a case for his innocence and said that he wasn't expecting Weaver to actually throw at him despite the exchange.
"He definitely started the conversation," Seager said. "It definitely escalated, and he handled it the way he wanted to. From my perspective, he quit on his team, and I didn't quit on mine.
"I was surprised he hit me, because if you hit me there, it's pretty obvious what's going to happen. He's going to be out of the game. I guess he was tired of pitching."
Weaver later attempted to downplay the incident and doesn't believe Seager will miss any time as a result of the pitch.
"It looks a lot worse than it is," Weaver said. "It happened to hit him. He's been taking some good swings off me. I was trying to get a fastball in there, and it hit him. It was only 82 mph, so I think he'll be all right. I don't think it's going to keep him out of the lineup."
