Tigers pitcher receives suspension after intentionally throwing at Red Sox’ Trevor Story

Framber Valdez received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine Wednesday after he intentionally hit Trevor Story during Tuesday’s blowout win for the Boston Red Sox . ( UPDATE: Valdez’s suspension was shortened to five games after an appeal. ) The Detroit Tigers pitcher claimed after the game that he did not intend to hit Story with the four-seam fastball — the first one that he has thrown this season.

“It was not intentional,” Valdez told reporters through an interpreter. “It was not on purpose. It might look like that, but it wasn’t.

” The hit by pitch led to the benches clearing, though not punches were thrown. Valdez was then ejected from the game. Tigers manager AJ Hinch did not back Valdez’s claim that the hit by pitch was unintentional after the game.

“We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn’t feel like it,” Hinch said. “It’s not judging intent.