Blue Jays' Borucki ejected for throwing at Rays' Kiermaier

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Ryan Borucki was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays after hitting outfielder Kevin Kiermaier in the back with a fastball.

Benches cleared after Borucki plunked Kiermaier with the first pitch of the eighth inning. It comes after Kiermaier grabbed a scouting card that fell from Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk's wristband during Monday's game between the two clubs.

For his part, Borucki said the ball slipped as he was trying to throw low and away.

"I accidentally hit him," Borucki said, according to the Toronto Star's Mike Wilner. "They can think what they want over there."

Despite Borucki's claim, he could face a suspension if MLB deems the play to be intentional.

Kiermaier isn't buying it. He thinks the southpaw hit him intentionally and that it was a "weak move," according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

"I hope we play those guys (in the playoffs), I really do ... the motivation's there," Kiermaier said.

Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker was also ejected for arguing with umpires after Borucki was thrown out of the game.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said he understands why the Rays were upset but backed up his pitcher's stance that hitting Kiermaier was an accident.

"We didn't want to use another pitcher, that's why Pete got upset," Montoyo said on Sportsnet postgame. "He hit him, but now I understand what it looks like. That's why I don't get excited."

Kiermaier said in the aftermath of taking the scouting card that he was surprised by the negative reaction, and Cash apologized for the incident prior to Tuesday's game. Montoyo suggested the whole thing had been smoothed over, making it seem like retaliation would be unlikely.