Pirates reliever Dennis Santana involved in fan altercation in win over Tigers
Pirates reliever Dennis Santana involved in fan altercation in win over Tigers
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Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana was involved in a fan altercation during Game 2 of the Pirates' doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on June 19.
The altercation, which included a jumping swing by Santana, came during the 8-4 win by the Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on June 19 and was caught on camera and later surfaced on social media, including X (formerly Twitter). In the video, Santana was also seen exchanging words with fans along the wall in the Pirates' bullpen.
According to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen, the fan, who appeared to be wearing what looked to be a Pirates' Roberto Clemente No. 21 jersey, was removed by Tigers security. After taking a swing at the fans, Santana was pulled back by a member of the Pirates' bullpen staff.
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Meeting with reporters outside of his locker at Comerica Park, Santana, through a team interpreter, confirmed that the altercation took place around the seventh inning of the second game of the doubleheader. He additionally said he didn't want to "get into" the details of what caused it.
"You guys know me. I'm a calm demeanor type of person. I've never had any issues for any of the teams that I've played for. I guess the guy crossed the line a few times and I would not like to get into it," Santana said.
Asked further by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Noah Hiles whether the fans in the stands were chirping with him during the whole game or if it was one comment that escalated the altercation, Santana continued to deflect the question.
"Like I said, you guys know me and you know my temper. I'm a calm person and they crossed the line a few times. I would like to leave it at that," Santana said.
Here's another look at the altercation between Santana and the fans:
Santana came into pitch in the ninth inning with the game tied at 4-4, and got the first out of the inning by getting Zach McKinstry to fly out to center before the tarp came out for the second rain delay of the game. The 6-foot-2 right-hander now has a 1.72 ERA in 31 1/3 innings of work this season across 32 appearances.
Paul Skenes earned the no-decision for the Pirates. The 2024 National League Rookie of the Year struck out nine hitters across six innings of work whole allowed two runs on three hits and five walks. The Pirates scored four runs in the top of the 10th inning to win it in extras.
Despite losing Game 2 of the doubleheader, the Tigers still took two of three against the Pirates to win the series. Detroit (48-28) leads the MLB in wins this season.
There was another fan ejection in the game as three fans were ejected from behind home plate in the 10th inning after an involvement with Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham.
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