With Tony La Russa irate, benches empty in White Sox-Indians game after Jose Abreu gets hit in head by James Karinchak
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(670 The Score) White Sox manager Tony La Russa was incensed at the Indians after Chicago star first baseman Jose Abreu was hit in the side of the head on a fastball from Cleveland reliever James Karinchak in the bottom of the eighth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday night.
La Russa, 76, verbally took his anger out on Indians catcher Roberto Perez, charging out of the dugout at what might have been top speed for a man his age. La Russa then had to be held back by bench coach Miguel Cairo as the benches emptied, though there was no further incident.
At first, it appeared La Russa was upset that Perez helped check on Abreu after White Sox trainers had already reached him. But La Russa explained to reporters postgame that his message to Perez was that Karinchak had poor control on this night, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reported, making it dangerous to throw inside to Abreu.
Karinchak appeared devastated after hitting Abreu, immediately crouching down and appearing to apologize as well later. After being evaluated by trainers, Abreu stayed in the game and gave Karinchak an embrace on his way to first base.
Karinchak was removed from the game in a managerial decision. The White Sox went on to win 6-4.