Blue Jays skipper would be disappointed if Archer not suspended

The Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays had some adversity that prompted the home plate umpire to issue warnings to both benches.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer threw behind Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista in what appeared to be retaliation for teammate Steven Souza Jr. missing today’s contest after being hit in the hand by Jays reliever Joe Biagini yesterday.

The first inning incident caught Bautista by surprise as the slugger glared at Archer for what appeared to be an eternity after the near miss. Both benches were issued warnings by home plate umpire Jim Wolf.

Bautista eventually flew out the right fielder but made a point to trot by Archer on the way back to the dugout and have some choice words for the hurler.

Following the Blue Jays victory Manager John Gibbons addressed the incident stating he would be disappointed if Archer was not suspended for his actions and the incident is in line with other near misses that resulted in suspensions.

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One would have to think today’s incident was payback for Biagini hitting Souza in yesterday’s contest that resulted in him missing the game today due to soreness. However, Souza and the Blue Jays have had their differences in the past including a late slide on Troy Tulowitzki earlier in the season that the shortstop took exception to.

Never a dull moment when division rivals face off against one another, should be interesting to see what type of the discipline the league hands down on Archer in the coming days.

Next: Blue Jays: Sanchez exits the game after just one inning