Yordano Ventura’s act on the mound is getting old, and nobody knows that better than Adam Jones.
The Baltimore Orioles outfielder ripped Ventura while defending teammate Manny Machado for the brawl that occurred during Tuesday’s game against the Royals, which included Machado punching Ventura (video here). Jones says there is something mentally off with Ventura.
“Like I said, the guy, he’s got electric stuff. The talent is all there, but between the ears, there’s a circuit board that’s off balance,” Jones said via MASN. “I don’t get it. I don’t get it. He wants to be Pedro Martinez? Cool, be Pedro Martinez. Have a damn sub-2.00 (ERA) like Pedro Martinez. Don’t go out there trying to hurt somebody.”
Though Ventura is a hard thrower naturally and averaged around 96-98 mph on his fastball throughout the game, the pitch he hit Machado with was at 99. Not only that, but he also shook off a curveball to throw the fastball, indicating that his intent was to hurt Machado.
Machado: "99 is no joke. You can ruin somebody's career like that. It just played out how it played out." #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) June 8, 2016
Ventura tried to play innocent after the game. A translator said Ventura “doesn’t know what happened,” and the pitcher’s “plan was to go inside.”
Excuse me while I call bullcrap on that. Ventura has been at the center of conflicts with many other players, including Mike Trout, Adam Eaton and Brett Lawrie. HE is the problem. MLB should recognize that and punish him accordingly.
