Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
MLB has announced that Jerry Sands, a minor league outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ organization, has been suspended one game for entering the stands during a confrontation with Toledo Mud Hens fans. The Mud Hens are the Triple-A team for the Detroit Tigers.
Apparently a fan had been throwing peanuts and heckling Brandon Inge, a teammate of Sands, and Sands didn’t appreciate the way fans were treating Inge. Inge has spent a large portion of his career in the Tigers organization.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington released the following statement today:
“Last night in Toledo, there was a verbal dispute between a fan and Jerry Sands, during which Jerry briefly entered into the stands. The situation was quickly resolved without further incident as the fan was ejected for his actions. We do not condone Jerry’s actions and support the league’s decision to suspend him for one game.”
Sands was acquired by the Pirates in the Joel Hanrahan trade with the Boston Red Sox.
Indianapolis Indians‘ (Pirates Triple-A team) radio broadcaster, Will Fleming, reported on Twitter that Felix Pie had tried to enter the stands as well, but was restrained. According to Fleming, fans had also been throwing beer on some members of the Indians’ team.
Inge is likely going to be playing in Pittsburgh at some point soon, because he is only in Triple-A because he’s nearing the end of a rehab assignment. Pie was signed to a minor-league deal with the Pirates over the offseason.
