Umpire Bob Davidson issues warnings to both benches after the Jays hit two home runs in the 1st - which results in Detroit pitcher throwing an message pitch high and inside to Troy Tulowitzki.
Now if Toronto pitcher Mark Buehrle hits a Detroit batter the Umpire will have to decide if it was intentional or not and perhaps choose to throw a Jays pitcher out of the game! This means the Blue Jays pitching now can't throw message pitches.
Moving a batter off the plate is part of the game - and because this Blue Jays team is hot and hitting the ball out of the park at an unprecedented pace as well, the advantage goes to the Blue Jays. On the other hand, if the Detroits start teeing off on Buehrle, he won't have the option of using the brush-back pitch.
The result of this early warning will likely be a greater slam-athon by the Jays than might of otherwise been a normal slam-athon - which Toronto's fans of winning Toronto sports teams will love. but which takes away from the quality of baseball game which we will witness today.
Rule 8.02: Throwing at the Batter(http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/rules_interest.jsp#8.02)
Rule 8.02 states as follows:
d. The pitcher shall not intentionally pitch at the batter.
If, in the umpire's judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect either to:
1. Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher, from the game, or
2. may warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager.
If, in the umpire's judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially "warned" prior to the game or at any time during the game.
(League Presidents may take additional action under authority provided in Rule 9.05)
Rule 8.02(d) Comment: Team personnel may not come onto the playing surface to argue or dispute a warning issued under Rule 8.02(d). If a manager, coach or player leaves the dugout or his position to dispute a warning, he should be warned to stop. If he continues, he is subject to ejection.
To pitch at a batter's head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be - and is - condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule.
On this continuing power and run scoring show by this Blue Jays team - game, after game, after game - is starting to travel into a surreal universe.
Score after 4 innings: Tigers 0 - Jays 6
ESPN Boxscore - Tigers at Jays - Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 1:07pm start | http://espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=350830114
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