Valdez hits Salazar with pitch after grand slam, intent disputed

Houston starter Framber Valdez hit his own catcher with a pitch after surrendering a grand slam in a tense sequence that erupted Tuesday night at Houston's home ballpark, a moment that has sparked debate over whether it was an accident or an act of frustration. The incident occurred in the fifth inning with the Yankees’ bases loaded and Trent Grisham at the plate; Grisham hit a go-ahead grand slam and, two pitches later, a Valdez offering struck catcher Cesar Salazar in the chest protector.

Video of the exchange shows Salazar motioning for Valdez to step off the mound before the pitch that produced the grand slam. Valdez proceeded with the pitch, which he said was a sinker, and Grisham took advantage. Two pitches after the homer, Valdez’s 92.8 to 96 mph sinker struck Salazar. The Yankees won 7-1.

Accounts of intent diverged immediately. Several former players and commentators labeled the act deliberate, with one former major leaguer calling it “absolute trash behavior” and another saying it was “one of the worst things you can do as a pitcher.” Critics pointed to PitchCom, the electronic signaling system used to relay pitch calls, saying it should make such crossups unlikely.