MLB probing incident involving Kevin Pillar’s homophobic slur

Major League Baseball says it is investigating an incident in which Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar appeared to say a homophobic slur at Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Motte during Wednesday night’s game.

Pillar struck out swinging to end the seventh inning of Atlanta’s 8–4 win and felt he was quick-pitched by Motte.

Pillar started to yell toward the mound at Motte after he struck out….

illar apologized to for actions after the game.

“It was immature, it was stupid, it was uncalled for,” Pillar said. “It’s part of the game, it’s just, I’m a competitive guy and heat of the moment. Obviously I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do to reach out and apologize and let him know he didn’t do anything wrong, it was all me.”

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— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 18, 2017

Pillar, Bautista apologetic after bench-clearing incidents

Blue Jays outfielders Kevin Pillar and Jose Bautista were both apologetic on Wednesday night after they were involved in on-field incidents that twice cleared the benches against the Atlanta Braves.
In the top of the seventh inning, Jason Motte struck out Pillar to end the inning. After his swing and miss, Pillar said something to Motte as the pitcher headed for the dugout and despite there being no physical aggression, both benches cleared.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Pillar called the moment “stupid and immature.”
“I think it just stems from a little frustration in myself and just the way this series has been going,” Pillar told reporters after the game. “Obviously I’m going to do whatever I’ve got to do to reach out and apologize and let (Motte) know he didn’t do anything wrong. It was all me.”
In the eighth inning with the Blue Jays down 8-3, Bautista hit a solo home run and flipped his bat after connecting off Eric O’Flaherty. Braves first baseman Jace Peterson said something to Bautista as he rounded the base and the Jays’ slugger briefly stopped before continuing toward second. Atlanta catcher Kurt Suzuki also had some words when Bautista arrived at home plate and the two dugouts to emptied once again.
Again, no punches were thrown.