Donaldson hit a two-run home run off Giolito in the first inning, and on his way to the dugout he allegedly said something along the lines of “It’s not sticky anymore” — a reference to baseball’s crackdown on foreign substances.
Giolito, who allowed three runs in six-plus strong innings to earn the win, didn’t hear Donaldson in the moment but found out afterward.
During his postgame news conference, Giolito said: “He’s a (bleeping) pest. That’s kind of a classless move. If you’re going to talk (bleep), talk (bleep) to my face. Don’t go across home plate and do all that.