SerpApi.Org
NEW YORK – Jose Caballero’s patient pitch clock tactics can sometimes drive opposing teams mad.
But fighting mad?
That’s how it seemed during Monday night’s eighth inning at Yankee Stadium, when Pirates reliever Dennis Santana charged at the Yankees shortstop and shouted at him.
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Players from both benches and bullpens quickly raced onto the field, but that sudden mixer didn’t last long and there were no ejections.
After the Yankees’ 8-5 victory, Santana basically said his own frustration was to blame.
“It’s nothing against him,’’ said Santana. “I got caught up in the game.’’
Banter between Dennis Santana, Jose Caballero
Santana was the latest pitcher to grow annoyed by Caballero’s wait-wait-wait before engaging, often right at the eight-second limit.
This time, it was only a three-pitch at-bat, resulting in Caballero grounding into an inning-ending double play.
As Caballero turned toward first base coach Dan Fiorito, he was surprised that Santana was approaching and jawing at him.
“He got what he wanted,’’ Caballero said of the DP to end the eighth. “He should go to the other side. He was walking on the wrong side.’’
Three separate times, a furious Santana had to be held back by teammates. An hour later, Santana admitted to frustration over Caballero’s pitch clock routine.
“He can do whatever he wants. But we were already losing (and I just said) something to him,’’ said Santana. “And while I was talking, I see everybody (rush onto) the field.’’
Essentially, Santana was yelling about Caballero taking too much time at the plate.
“It’s been a tough season for me right now,’’ said Santana, with a 6.05 ERA in 44 games. “But that doesn’t have anything to do with (Monday’s game). I had a clean inning.’’
Santana appeared in 23 games for the 2024 Yankees, before the Pirates claimed him in June of that season.
Caballero and Santana each said they have no prior history, but Santana said he was somewhat aware of Caballero’s at-bat tactics prior to Monday.
Jose Caballero's routine explained
“At this point, he’s lucky he doesn’t get (called for a) ball right away,’’ Caballero said of Santana’s problem with his at-bat.
“We all should know about the rules. The whole league should know who I am, what I do at the box,’’’ said Caballero, adding that Santana “shouldn’t be mad’’ at him for playing by a league rule.
“You should be mad at someone else.’’
Yanks manager Aaron Boone is on board with Caballero’s tactics.
“It’s part of his process of getting mentally ready to hit,’’ said Boone, who defended Caballero earlier this year, when he was warned by an umpiring crew about engagement.
“I take my time. I don’t want them to mess with my time. I do my routine as always,’’ said Caballero. “If you get frustrated, I’m winning.
“For me, it’s a battle at the box and I’m trying to win the battle.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Jose Caballero's 'routine' sparked Yankees-Pirates bench clearer
