Chris Sale Hit Victor Martinez, Implied Tigers Were Stealing Signs

The Tigers and White Sox played Wednesday afternoon in a game that was filled with playoff implications. For Chicago starter Chris Sale, the game represented a final chance to add to his Cy Young credentials. That’s the simple description, because it got a little feisty in the sixth inning after Sale plunked Victor Martinez, who came into the game hitting .536 lifetime vs. the lefty.

Sale had struck out Martinez in his first two at bats, but each time pointed toward the outfield afterward, implying the Tigers designated hitter was being tipped off on pitches. Both benches and bullpens cleared as Martinez walked to first. Sale continued making gestures toward the outfield. It’s worth noting to that point in the game Sale hadn’t allowed a run. Martinez ended up scoring to tie the game at 1-1. (Sale finished the game allowing one run with 10 strikeouts. He ends the year with a 2.16 ERA and sub 1.00 WHIP, which should merit some first-place Cy Young votes.)

Sale also made this binoculars gesture from the bench earlier in the game:

Which prompted this response from Ian Kinsler after an RBI double.

I’ve lost track of how many written and unwritten rules have been violated.

Full video of the sixth inning incident here:

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