Neris will fight his three-game MLB suspension
PHILADELPHIA >> Despite claims of innocence from Phillies closer Hector Neris and a fast statement of support from manager Gabe Kapler Tuesday night, Neris has been suspended three games for hitting the Dodgers’ David Freese with a pitch in the ninth inning of what became a 9-8 Phillies walkoff win at Citizens Bank Park.
The club immediately answered back Wednesday by saying Neris would appeal the suspension. That allowed him to be eligible to pitch Wednesday night against the Dodgers.
Joe Torre, chief baseball officer for Major League Baseball, announced the suspension and Neris has been fined an undisclosed amount of money.
Asked about the pitch that hit Freese on the top of the back — because he ducked — and deflected away, Neris said Tuesday night, “I just wanted to throw inside, and I hit him.” He added it was “nothing crazy.”
Neris had entered the game for the top of the ninth with the Phils leading 6-5. A sudden downpour as Neris was about to throw his first pitch led to a 20-minute rain delay, then he came back out and got into immediate trouble by walking Max Muncy and giving up a single to A.J. Pollock.
After striking out Corey Seager, Neris promptly slid a ball out over the plate and pinch-hitter Matt Beaty drove it into the right-field seats for an 8-6 Dodger lead.
Freese then came up and Neris threw a fastball that could have hit him in the head area had Freese not ducked. The Dodgers’ outrage was rather immediate, and home plate umpire Chris Conroy wasted no time in giving Neris the thumb jerk.
After the game, manager Gabe Kapler jumped to Neris’ defense, saying the awry pitch was just that.
“Nothing intentional,” Kapler said. “That happens in baseball, balls get away. J.T. (Realmuto) was set up outside. It wasn’t where he was looking to throw the ball. Clear and immediate reaction by Hector that was not his intention by any stretch.”
Kapler was automatically ejected after Neris was tossed. Both were in the clubhouse area when the Phillies put together a rally in the bottom of the ninth, capped by Bryce Harper’s two-run walk-off double.