Photo by Chris Mezzavilla
SAN FRANCISCO — The opening two innings of Tuesday night’s matchup with the Miami Marlins did not lack tension — or deliberate plunks.
Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson became a talking point in this series after Monday night. In the ninth inning, Giants closer Hunter Strickland threw high and inside on Brinson in the first pitch of his at-bat. Three pitches later, he singled to tie the game 4-4, continuing a Marlins rally that eventually produced another run, ultimately leading to a 5-4 win over the Giants.
Brinson flipped his bat and apparently yelled at Strickland as he trotted toward first base. Minutes later, as Strickland exited the game, the two chirped at each other.
Neither team forgot the series of events overnight.
On Tuesday night, Brinson was plunked on the first pitch of his opening at-bat. The home plate umpire issued warnings to both benches. Marlins manager Don Mattingly argued the call for about a minute and was later ejected.
A half inning later, Giants catcher Buster Posey was plunked on the first pitch. Marlins starting pitcher Dan Straily was promptly ejected.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy argued with umpires, and boos bellowed throughout AT&T Park. Straily also hit Giants third baseman Evan Longoria, which caused a broken hand, last week at Miami.
No one could have foreseen a Giants-Marlins rivalry to develop, but tensions are clearly brewing early in this series.