Detroit Tigers catcher John Hicks called for a slider. Buck Farmer threw a fastball and was accused of hitting umpire Quinn Wolcott on purpose.<\/b>
\nCLEVELAND \u2013 Brad Ausmus was watching the baseball game.
He had just been ejected Wednesday afternoon against the Cleveland Indians for arguing balls and strikes and was sitting in his office inside the visitor\u2019s clubhouse at Progressive Field when home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott was hit by a pitch.
Catcher John Hicks \u2014 substituted for James McCann, who was ejected with Ausmus \u2014 called for a slider. Instead, Buck Farmer threw a fastball, which struck Wolcott in the right shoulder.
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The color commentary that followed on the Indians broadcast drew Ausmus\u2019 ire.
The suggestion was made that Farmer and Hicks intentionally hit Wolcott for Ausmus and McCann\u2019s accusations that the strike zone was unfair early in the 5-3 loss to the Indians, who set the American League record with their 21st consecutive win.
\u201cTo imply that was intentional is, first of all, a lie, \u201d Ausmus said. \u201cIf any player intentionally tried to hurt an umpire on this team, we\u2019 d deal with it severely.
\u201cFor anyone to imply it was intentional is completely wrong. They are out of line in saying that, quite frankly.\u201d
Hicks did not turn to check on Wolcott, as is often custom with catchers and umps, and instead conferred with Farmer, as if to indicate they were confused about signs.
Farmer and Hicks offered similar denials.
\u201cObviously, it looked bad right after Brad and (McCann) got tossed, \u201d Hicks said. \u201cBut it\u2019s bases loaded and we\u2019 re trying to win a baseball game. Any thought of us trying to do that on purpose is just ridiculous.\u201d
Hicks explained the miscommunication, saying, \u201cI called a fastball away and Buck shook. So, I called for a slider away. He went into his delivery thinking I called for a fastball in. I was looking for the slider away and he came with a fastball in.\u201d
Added Ausmus, \u201cThe bases were loaded. Even if it crossed your mind to attempt it, why would you do it with the bases loaded?\u201d
Farmer told reporters anyone making such claims should be \u201cashamed\u201d and tweeted, \u201cHate that people think I would hit the umpire intentionally\u2026 I have more respect for the game than that. #Notthattypeofplayer\u201d
Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. USA TODAY Sports contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

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Sentiment rank: -0.7<\/div>\n

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