Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez has been removed from Game 6 after only two-plus innings, but at least they were interesting. Following Sanchez’s baserunning gaffe in the top of the third, he walked the Phillies’ Placido Polanco to open the bottom of the third, then -- inadvertently, it would appear -- hit Chase Utley.
Giants Vs. Phillies, NLCS Game 6: Jonathan Sanchez Removed From Game After Shouting Match With Chase Utley
While trotting to first, Utley scooped up the ball he had been hit with and flipped it in Sanchez’s direction. Sanchez clearly took offense to this, as he began shouting at Utley. From first, Utley waved at him dismissively, and both the Giants’ and Phillies’ benches emptied.
UPDATE: Here is video, albeit shaky video, of the incident:
The incident didn’t give way to violence, and nobody was ejected, but Giants manager Bruce Bochy elected to take the errant and emotional Sanchez out of the game. In fact, as FanHouse’s Jeff Fletcher notes, the decision had already been made to remove Sanchez:
Bochy had left the dugout to take out Sanchez BEFORE the fight started, btw. I was watching.
In to relieve him is Jeremy Affeldt, who promptly retired the Phillies’ side. We’re headed to the top of the fourth, tied 2-2. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for further updates.
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