Leyland: Porcello didn't throw at Tribe's Cabrera
8/22/2011ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Detroit manager Jim Leyland is reiterating that Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello did not throw at Cleveland’s Asdrubal Cabrera.
Umpires warned both teams following Sunday’s episode. Cabrera stood at home plate watching as his long drive hooked foul, then Porcello threw the next pitch behind his back.
Before Monday night’s game at Tampa Bay, Leyland acknowledged the errant pitch looked bad and “sends a red flag to everybody.” But he said Porcello was “absolutely not” trying to send Cabrera a message.
Leyland said Cabrera did nothing wrong by watching to see whether his fly ball would curve foul. Leyland added his team has no problem with the Indians, who are trying to catch Detroit in the AL Central.
The Tigers won 8-7 Sunday for a sweep.