Struggling Pittsburgh Pirates Pay the Price After Intentionally Hitting San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado

Athletes are all about competition, but respect must be warranted. Is it really a victory if there’s a huge cost involved? That’s what San Diego Padres fans are wondering, who recently witnessed one of their own, Manny Machado, get hit by a pitch. But for Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Angel Perdomo, it’s time to face the music.

It was the 7th inning of Padres vs Pirates when Perdomo surrendered a moonshot to Juan Soto. The Friars’ outfielder smashed a 418-feet long ball and understandably, the Pirates pitcher was not happy. He decided to do something about it in the next inning against Manny Machado, but instead of a fair play, it turned into an intentional HBP. Now, MLB is handing down the consequences.

Angel Perdomo Faces Suspension For Intentional HBP Against Manny Machado

The Padres have not been playing quite up to their usual potential this season but as expected; they put in effort against one of the lowlier teams in MLB. But right after Petco Park saw Soto’s massive home run, Angel Perdomo apparently decided to retaliate. Next up against Manny Machado, the Pirates reliever launched a 98 mph fastball against the third baseman.

It hit him in the back, but fortunately, there was no serious injury. The umpires, however, were not pleased. They huddled together to discuss the situation and ultimately ejected Perdomo.

Not even twenty-four hours later, MLB made another decision – Perdomo will serve a three-game suspension to start on Wednesday. Since managers receive an automatic suspension for intentional HBP, Derek Shelton will also have to miss out on one game.

Perdomo plead not guilty later on Tuesday, “I gave all my best to Soto, all my pitches. He got the home run against me. And then against Machado, I just tried to come in and went too far in and hit him by mistake.” Shelton believed it to be unintentional as well, but MLB clearly thought otherwise. Machado and Soto were not pleased either.

San Diego Padres Stars Were Not Happy With the Turn of Events

Sportsmanship is how games work, and Machado believes it, too. “I guess people don’t respect people anymore,” Machado told The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. “You know, 300 (homers) in the show and 10 years-plus, but it is what it is. I mean, it ain’t no worry. We got the win, which is the most important part, and nothing was broken, so we’re good.”

Soto clearly felt the same. “It’s not right. And then after he hit him, he literally charged to the plate. That’s not right. You shouldn’t do that.”

READ MORE – San Diego Padres Superstars Manny Machado and Juan Soto Debate an Age-Old Dilemma

Perdomo has decided not to appeal the verdict and will serve his full suspension. The Pirates cannot replace him so the roster will have to continue understaffed.

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