Toronto Blue Jays’ Kevin Pillar bounced back to Buffalo after dugout tantrum
John Lott | June 25, 2014 | Last Updated: Jun 25 5:53 PM ET
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TV footage showed him returning to the other end of the dugout, where Gibbons spoke to him briefly. During that conversation, Pillar turned and tossed his batting gloves away.
TORONTO – Kevin Pillar apparently hastened his departure from the Toronto Blue Jays by angrily throwing his bat into the tunnel leading to the clubhouse after he was pulled for a pinch-hitter Tuesday night.
“It didn’t help him at all,” manager John Gibbons said after Pillar was optioned to Buffalo. “This is a team game, you know. There’s no room for selfish play.”
Gibbons stopped short of citing Pillar’s behavior as the sole reason the Jays sent him back to Triple-A. In Pillar’s place, they called up Brad Glenn, a 27-year-old outfielder with no major-league experience who was batting .381 in 30 games for Buffalo.
Pillar, a right-handed batter, was due up with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of a 6-6 tie with the New York Yankees. Gibbons sent up Anthony Gose, a speedy left-handed batter, to face right-handed reliever Dellin Betances.