NEW YORK (AP) — Graham Ashcraft and the Cincinnati Reds received a stare down with the New York Yankees even earlier than ending their three-game sweep.
When the nationwide anthem ended forward of Thursday’s sport, Ashcraft and fellow Reds pitcher Carson Spiers remained in entrance of the guests’ dugout on the third-base aspect of Yankee Stadium whereas New York pitchers Ian Hamilton and Cody Poteet held out on the first-base aspect.
Their showdown prolonged for greater than 5 minutes as gamers ignored gestures from the umpires instructing them to vacate the sector so the sport might start. Ashcroft received the battle, pumping a fist and getting high-fives and cheers from teammates when he outlasted his Yankees counterparts earlier than the Reds’ 8-4 win Thursday.
“That additionally set the tone,” stated Spencer Steer, whose three-run homer within the fifth inning gave Cincinnati a 5-0 lead.
Steer praised Ashcraft, utilizing the pitcher’s given first identify, Douglas.
“That was fairly superior of Doug simply to form of win that one for us and form of give us slightly edge earlier than the primary pitch,” Steer stated.
All 4 gamers ignored plate umpire Alan Porter, who made a shooing movement with each fingers. Porter then dispatched third base umpire Jim Wolf to induce them off the sector.
“Lucas Sims didn’t have a hat on the market, so he took my hat, didn’t wish to be standing there with no hat on the Fourth of July,” Spiers stated, referring to a different Reds pitcher. “So me being a rookie, I used to be standing there with no hat, no matter, trying dumb. After which, because the factor was ending, Sims was like: `Spiers, you bought to remain right here till the final one.’ So I used to be like, all proper, no matter. I’ll keep. Certain sufficient, their guys stayed, too. So I used to be like, oh God, right here I’m going. Like, I’m in for it a very long time. And I noticed Graham form of slide over with me, and from there it was the lengthy haul.”
They’d a quick reprieve when Porter returned to the umpires clubhouse to retrieve a shin guard. Being a rookie making the $740,000 minimal, Spiers determined to peel off first.
“Eager about the superb and understanding that I couldn’t afford it,” he stated. “So I simply made a enterprise resolution.”
New York’s pitchers, each on the injured listing, lastly walked off after supervisor Aaron Boone gestured for them to go away.
“Just a little competitors throughout the sport, I suppose,” Poteet stated. “That’s most likely the primary one I’ve ever been part of but it surely took all the best way to the final bit the place it’s getting near the sport beginning.”
Ashcraft, in his third main league season, has a barely larger wage at $750,000. He began and bought the win in Tuesday’s collection opener and wasn’t going to pitch in Thursday’s sport.
“We noticed they weren’t transferring and one of many guys informed Carson to remain, and I used to be like, `I’m staying with you as a result of I’m not transferring,’” Ashcraft stated. “`I ain’t bought nothing to do as we speak. I’m staying till I win or I get ejected or each.’”
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