Benches clear after Abreu hit in head with 96-mph pitch
Benches cleared between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on Friday after James Karinchak hit Jose Abreu in the head with a 96-mph pitch.
Abreu dropped to the ground and appeared dazed before being held up by teammates and checked out by a trainer.
Benches clear in Chicago after Jose Abreu gets hit in the head with a 96 mph fastball. pic.twitter.com/oSWnxc25i1
— Joe LoGrippo (@Joe_LoGrippo) July 31, 2021
White Sox manager Tony La Russa ran onto the field to check on his first baseman and had a brief exchange with Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez. The confrontation led to each dugout emptying.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa confronts Roberto Pérez on the field after James Karinchak accidentally hits José Abreu on the helmet with a pitch.
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 31, 2021
In the aftermath, Abreu embraces Karinchak on his way to first base. pic.twitter.com/287unE8YoP
"The guy did not have command, and it’s scary to call the ball inside," La Russa said, according to Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports. "There was no question it was not intentional. That guy lacked command, and it was scary to throw the ball. If you are going to throw the ball in, get it down."
Abreu remained in the game and shared a brief hug with Karinchak on his way to first base. It was the second time Abreu was hit in the game.
"He's tough," White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said. "He wants to be in there every day. You know he's been battling a lot of things throughout the whole season. It just shows how tough he is to go out there and give us everything he got."