Closer Jose Cabrera is facing a suspension for his role in a bench-clearing incident with Somerset Tuesday night. His future with the team is undetermined.
“We’ll see what the league has to say about it and I’ll go from there,” manager Von Hayes said. “I don’t condone what he did by any means. Everything that went on that inning was totally on his shoulders. It had nothing to do with anybody else on this team. We don’t condone that type of behavior and I imagine the league doesn’t, either. We’ll see what comes of it.”
With the Barnstormers clinging to a 9-8 lead in the ninth inning, Cabrera fired a fastball behind Elliott Ayala. As the benches emptied, the reliever had to be forcibly restrained by teammate Kevin Kotch. Cabrera picked up the loose baseball and was threatening to throw it at the Somerset players who had streamed onto the field.
About 30 seconds after the incident started, Cabrera winged the ball in the direction of the Patriots but hit teammate D.J. Mattox instead. Mattox wasn’t seriously injured.
Cabrera was visibly unhappy with a pitch that was called a ball earlier in Ayala’s at-bat. His anger erupted when he was taunted by the players on Somerset’s bench. The pitch that was thrown behind Ayala was ball four. He eventually came around to score the tying run.
Both Cabrera and Hayes were ejected.
“I’ve never seen a game attempted to be given away like that,” Hayes said. “A closer should have every word that starts with ‘C’ imaginable: composure, control, confidence. None of that was shown.”
This is a potentially huge setback for the bullpen. Cabrera’s arrival as the closer helped establish roles among the relief corps, which has been excellent over the last five weeks.
Now Cabrera awaits his punishment.
EDIT: It should be noted there was tension earlier in the game. In the third inning, Barnstormers starter Shane Youman threw a pitch up and in to Vito Chiaravalloti, who has three home runs in this series. Somerset’s Josh Brey responded by throwing behind Lloyd Turner. Although both benches were issued a warning, the situation didn’t escalate at that point.
Game recap:
RECORD: 28-37
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Matt LeCroy
LeCroy went 3-for-6 with four RBIs. His game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning ended the four-hour, 54-minute marathon. The first baseman also delivered two RBI singles. He is 11-for-27 with 11 RBIs in seven games since returning from a shoulder injury.
“It was a good feeling,” he said. “Luckily, I got it done. We needed that one. We want to set a tone here for the next couple of days and then see what happens.”
The pitchers:
*Shane Youman received a no decision:
| 5 IP | 8 H | 7 R | 5 ER | 4 BB | 2 K |
Youman was striving for consistency after his six shutout innings against Camden last week. This start wasn’t on the same level. He allowed 13 baserunners in five innings and couldn’t hold a 6-2 lead.
*Sendy Rleal pitched a scoreless eighth. This was the first high-pressure situation in a while for the former closer. Rleal issued two walks, but got through it. Rleal could become a crucial part of the bullpen if it doesn’t include Cabrera.
*The rubber-armed Ricardo Gomez pitched three shutout innings for his third win. Gomez allowed the team to avoid using Yamel Guevara, who is temporarily in the rotation in place of D.J. Mattox.
*Judd Songster extended his streak without an earned runs to 19 1/3 innings.
*The teams combined to use 12 pitchers.
The hitters:
*Jutt Hileman’s three-run homer in the first inning put the Barnstormers in front. Hileman was in a home run drought – only one since May 30 – before that opposite-field shot.
*DH Greg Blosser left the game in the third inning because of a strained calf. He was replaced by Ivanon Coffie, who couldn’t stay in the game to bat because of a sprained wrist.
*2B Juan Francia could return as soon as Thursday. 1B Ian Bladergroen’s timetable has been pushed back to July 18, the first game after the All-Star break.
The bottom line:
It wasn’t a beauty. The Barnstormers blew an early four-run lead. They squandered a 9-8 lead in the ninth. Their closer completely lost his cool. But they found a way to beat Somerset. Finally.
“It definitely feels better than losing – no doubt,” Hayes said. “But even the wins these days come with losses.”
Very disapointed in Cabrera’s behavior. Based on Von’s comments, and the way he was pushing his manager around trying to get at the Someset players, I would not be surprised if the team takes action (no matter what the league does).
Somerset should be fined for shouting obscenities @ Cabrera from the bench ( loud enough for us sitting at our pen to hear) But, his response was out of control.
That was just bad! It gave me such a sick feeling when
Cabrera through that ball so hard hitting one of his
own teammates in the face/neck. That ball made such
a loud slap. I hope the Lancaster player (I believe it
was Mattox) is okay!
Congrats to Matt. It looks like his shoulder is do much better. Nice job saving the night, Matt.
Attention Intelligencer sports reporters………..I believe that is Jordan Herr pictured on the front page of the sports section, not Aaron, unless we signed Aaron Herr away from affliated ball.
The whole episode was reprehensible. For someone to be that out of control it’s scary. That was as bad as the nit wit with the Bat last year.
Sparky Lyle isn’t without some blame for incident. Why does it seem like Somerset is involved in alot of these situations?
Jose’s actions are totally inexcusable but there were some mitigating circumstances last nite. The Home Plate Umpire also has to share some blame for the incident.
I noticed that to Pack.. Poor Jordan.. always living in his borther’s shadow!!!
I think it was extremely ironic when Olivares got ejected from the game in the top of the 11th for arguing the same pitch when he struck out!
*having Jose Offerman flashbacks*
I’m not sure we can blame the Somerst players players for what happened in the ninth inning. The way Cabrera acted after he didn’t get the 2-1 pitch was ridiculous. Stomping around the mound and taking forever to get on the mound only leant itself to the Somerset players giving him some grief. Then things really fell apart. I know D.J. took one in the face, but to me it looked like Kotch may have gotten the worst of the whole incident. He looked shaken up after things calmed down. I didn’t have the best vantage point, as I was sitting at the top of section 1.
Deuce, I agree, Kotch was a bit shaken. He took awhile to get ready again, and he had the time while Judd was warming up. I was amazed at how quick he came and gathered Jose in the bear hug. It was good he had quite a bit of strength or a fear what the outcome may have been.
Am I correct, I thought I heard that both benches had been given a warning earlier in the game for all of that “chattering”?!?!?!
Both benches were given a warning earlier in the game after Vito was hit by a pitch in the 4th inning…this was his first ab after hitting the home run.
I have some kind of luck attending games with a Cabrera on the mound. I was in B-more when Daniel threw behind Pedrioia and a bench clearing brawl (including bullpen) ensued.
Missed it all. Had to leave in the 8th unfortunately.
Cabrera needs to be made an example of.He damn near broke Mattox jaw with that baseball.
Paxil !
There was a father with his boy (about
sitting near me. I felt sorry for him as he was trying to explain to his son what was going on.
djs – I was thinking about how you and your kids and how you would have handled it.
#9 – Deuce I agree with you 100%! I actually thought Kotch was the one that got hit with the ball the way he was acting.
Before we jump on the Somerset bench, they are only doing what everyone else does. If the game had been in Somerset I’m sure they would have been playing a baby crying over the PA system. It was only a few weeks ago that Jared Ball hit a homerun and his teamates told him to “pose at the plate” with our dugout yelling at the pitcher which led to a near altercation. After reading Von’s comments above again, I think we will be saying adios to Cabrera.
Hey Stormers,
Thanks for the win last night! Let’s hope you guys can take the rubber game against Somerset!
Big props to Dave Collins for shouting us out last night after the Stormers win, we were listening with anticipation as LeCroy dashed the hopes of Somerset!
Radical, I didnt think of that…..that he has always been under his brother’s accomplishments. That makes it twice as bad as just leaving your name out.
But here is to Jordan teaching the Intelligencer his name by having much better games. Go Barnstormers!!!
I was not at the game last night. Only aware of what happened because of reading the paper and the blog. My first impression was that of disgust. Cabrera has pitched great for us, BUT throwing that ball at someone with intent to hurt is no different than using a bat like Offerman.
I am sure that type of “chatter” goes on in a lot of games. I also think that the umpire has to control how much is yelled from the benches, BUT there is NO excuse for Cabrera to lose his cool like he did. He has to take full responsibility for his actions.
Agree 100% pack
Absolutely
I was at the game in another section than the night before but was not there the whole game. I had to leave in the 7th which was not planned and now I really should of stayed. First if there was “chatter” coming from the Somerset bench then you have a problem there. I don’t want to say never but almost never have I seen another team have the “so call chatter” (I was not there at that time so not sure what was being said) to another team or player. I seen it to umps all the time but not to players and other teams in the pros. College is another story for another time. There should be some Somerset players sitting for a couple of games if all is true.
Now for Cabrera, He lost it and while he may want to take it back now, there is no place for him on this team or in this league. He needs to be gone. There was such an uproar over Offerman (and it was called for) and that was not much worst than what Cabrera did. When you start using bats and balls as weapons then there is no place for you in this game period. The really sad part is Cabrera will play elsewhere and this only hurts the Barnstormers.
The Barnstormers need to get off their butt and sign some players and maybe they can spend a little bit while there at it. The fans are giving them a lot of money. They can return the favor to us loyal fans. Other teams can find players. As I said a few nights ago, there are players out there.