Posey on if Straily hit him in retaliation: “It sure seems that way” pic.twitter.com/W6diuHxAeU
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 20, 2018
SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey was never involved in the Hunter Strickland-Lewis Brinson banter Monday night. Posey is rarely, if ever, involved in seemingly dirty tactics or foul play that crosses the line.
Yet he was treated as if he was on Tuesday night. That may be the result of his Hall-of-Fame caliber talent, or merely his proximity to Marlins manager Don Mattingly at the wrong time.
On Tuesday night, Brinson was beaned on the first pitch of his opening at-bat. The home plate umpire issued warnings to both benches. Mattingly argued the call for about a minute. As he walked toward the Marlins dugout, he apparently told Posey, “you’re next,” according to Mike Krukow. Postgame, Mattingly continually denied that either he or Straily targeted Posey.
A half-inning after Brinson was hit, Posey was plunked on the first pitch of his at-bat. Straily and Mattingly were promptly tossed from the game.
After the Giants’ 6-3 win, Posey gave his opinion on whether the plunk was intentional.
“I don’t know,” Posey said. “It sure seemed that way.”
After a hectic two innings, spiraling back to an emotional ninth inning Monday night, both sides settled down and played. The Giants scored four runs in the first two innings, which were ultimately enough to cruise to the win.
These sides will conclude their series Wednesday afternoon.