D-backs' Torey Lovullo Breaks Silence: "We Were Wrong" in Sign-Stealing Spat
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo has admitted his team was wrong to accuse the Cubs of sign-stealing, after it was revealed that third-base coach Quintin Berry was acting within the rules by relaying pitches to Cubs batters.
Lovullo called Cubs manager Craig Counsell to apologize, saying that his team was wrong to cause a ruckus over the situation. "We were wrong," Lovullo said, following a clarification of the rules from MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill.
Lovullo spoke with Hill, who informed him that Berry was allowed to pick up on and relay pitches to Cubs batters from the confines of the third-base coach's box. "He gave me the fastest version that the third-base coach and first-base coach can do whatever they want as long as they are inside the dimensions of the base-coaching box," Lovullo said.
The incident began when Arizona starter Merrill Kelly stepped off the mound in the third inning, apparently having realized that Berry was relaying his pitches. A shouting match between the two dugouts ensued, featuring Arizona bench coach Jeff Banister and Chicago bench coach Ryan Flaherty exchanging choice words.
Kelly's night was done after 99 pitches in 5 2/3 innings, resulting in 3 earned runs off of 5 hits and 3 walks. He spent much of the rest of his night perched against the dugout railing in shouting distance of Berry.
Kelly also expressed frustration with the situation, calling it "bulls***" when coaches relay pitches. "Stealing signs is as old as baseball," Kelly said. "I think it's a little bulls*** when it comes from a coach."
Kelly acknowledged that he was culpable in the situation, saying that he had to take a look at what he was doing to avoid giving away pitches. "I gotta figure out and do better on my part to not give it away," Kelly said.
The focus now shifts to addressing how Kelly was tipping pitches. Lovullo has vowed to fix the issue, saying "It's up to us to fix it, and we're doing that right now."
Lovullo's apology marks a significant turn in the sign-stealing saga, and it remains to be seen how the D-backs will move forward. The Cubs and D-backs are set to face off again in Game 3 of the series, with the D-backs looking to bounce back from their 7-0 loss.
Source: Yahoo Sports