José Abreu was hit in the helmet with a 96-mph fastball from Cleveland Indians reliever James Karinchak with the bases loaded in the eighth inning Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa knew it wasn’t intentional, but he still had a point to make as he ran out of the dugout to defend his first baseman.
“I made it clear when I was out there that I knew it wasn’t intentional, but the ball was called in, and that guy is really a good pitcher but today his command was not there,” La Russa, 76, said.