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Kiermaier: Rays 'frustrated' with Yankees after multiple HBPs

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Tampa Bay Rays were clearly upset with the New York Yankees during their recently concluded three-game series at Tropicana Field. Veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier says his team had good reason to be after the Yankees hit the Rays four times.

"It's very frustrating. We'll see where it goes from here," Kiermaier said Monday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. "But I don't think that was a very good look on their part, and we have every right to be very frustrated about what happened throughout the weekend."

New York struck Joey Wendle in the helmet with a pitch, plunked Mike Zunino, and hit Austin Meadows in the hand and shoulder.

"That can't happen," Kiermaier added. "There's just certain things that just can't happen. You can't hit a guy in the helmet. Then the next night, guy gets hit in the shoulder - if he doesn't move, probably would've hit him in the neck/head area. And then he gets hit in the wrist. A very impactful player on our team."

Kiermaier continued by explaining the Rays didn't retaliate because they just "want to play." He also said they don't have "any problems with any other team."

"We were hoping we could turn the page going into this year, and, obviously, the same things happen," Kiermaier said. "Just bad timing on their part. And some very not so safe areas where to hit guys, day after day after day."

The tension between the two division rivals followed after a 2020 season that saw Aroldis Chapman throw a 101-mph pitch near the head of Rays utility player Mike Brosseau last September.

Brosseau responded by cranking a game-winning homer off Chapman in Game 5 of the ALDS to help the Rays eliminate the Yankees from the playoffs.

The two teams will next meet Friday.

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