29 May, 2017
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar has been given a two-game suspension for hurling an anti-gay slur at Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Motte. As Motte walked off the mound, Pillar said something that made catcher Kurt Suzuki and Motte each stop and look back at Pillar.
Benches emptied in Wednesday night's game in Atlanta after Bautista homered to left field, stood at home plate and stared toward pitcher Eric O'Flaherty before flipping the bat away with an authoritative toss.
Pillar tweeted a public apology for his behavior saying using the slur, "helped extend use of the word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today".
The benches cleared twice during the Braves' 8-4 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday night and the first one was sparked by Kevin Pillar's reaction to what he considered a "quick pitch" maneuver from Braves reliever Jason Motte (video here).
On Thursday, Major League Baseball said it was investigating Pillar's remarks.
Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar is having an outstanding season so far.
The You Can Play Project, which advocates for inclusion in sport, also expressed optimism that Pillar could have a positive impact. "I'm a competitive guy".
Major League Baseball declined to comment further, but there is a precedent for discipline, as Toronto suspended shortstop Yunel Escobar for three games after he wrote a homophobic slur in Spanish on his eye black.
Of course, it was a bat flip from Bautista in the 2015 ALDS that enraged the Texas Rangers.
He'll sit out Thursday's game against the Braves and Friday's opener with the Orioles.
No punches were thrown, but O'Flaherty didn't mince words about Bautista's actions.
With tempers high, the four-game series resumes Thursday night at SunTrust Park. Ender Inciarte led off with a single, and Brandon Phillips reached on Biagini's errant throw to second trying to get the lead runner.
"I understand why [the Braves] would be upset in that situation, and I just told them how I felt", he told the Toronto Sun.
That doesn't excuse him for the comment, but it's encouraging to see that he knows the mistake he made and feels bad about it.
