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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Notebook: Tigers’ Zumaya issues apology


Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya said he's been getting
From Wire Reports The Spokesman-Review

On Wednesday night, minutes after walking four batters and hitting another in a disastrous ninth inning, Detroit Tigers right-hander Joel Zumaya sat at his locker, stared straight ahead and did not speak to reporters.

One day later, he left little unsaid.

Zumaya answered questions for several minutes before the team left after Thursday night’s game with the Chicago White Sox was postponed by rain.

Zumaya repeatedly scolded himself for his performance – the lack of command led to two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning – and his conduct toward plate umpire Mark Wegner.

Zumaya admitted “getting real bigheaded about myself,” said his concentration was “someplace else,” and acknowledged he yelled at Wegner “quite a few times” about his strike zone.

“I’m a humble person,” Zumaya said. “Last night, I was not humble. Last night, I was just being a jackass.”

At one point, Zumaya said, “That was embarrassing for me. That was embarrassing for Detroit.”

The ordeal began with two strikes, two outs and the bases empty. Zumaya hit A.J. Pierzynski with a pitch, then walked Joe Crede, Andy Gonzalez, Pablo Ozuna and Juan Uribe.

By that time, Chicago had closed to within 6-2 and had the tying run (Brian Anderson) at the plate, forcing manager Jim Leyland to summon Todd Jones.

Zumaya said he “made a couple bad comments” to Wegner while he was on the mound, including at least one obscenity. Then he “went off on” Wegner as he left after the pitching change.

Around the bases

Pitcher John Smoltz is likely to spend his entire major league career with the Atlanta Braves after agreeing to a contract extension that could be worth $39 million. Smoltz, who turns 40 next month, will be back for a 20th season in 2008 with a deal that guarantees him about $14 million and option years for 2009 and 2010. … Minnesota Twins star Torii Hunter needed three stitches to close a cut on the inside of his mouth after he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City’s Zack Greinke. Hunter said he would play today when Minnesota visits Detroit. … … Twins left fielder Rondell White has a small tear in his right calf muscle, an injury that will significantly extend his stay on the disabled list, but there is no timetable for his return. … Toronto catcher Gregg Zaun had surgery on his broken right thumb and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. The Blue Jays called up Sal Fasano from Triple-A Syracuse to take his place.