Turnin 2 SS 2b
06-26-2002, 10:38 AM
MIAMI -- Word that Tigers manager Luis Pujols would have intentionally walked Luis Castillo if the situation arose in the ninth inning upset the Marlins second baseman.
"I'd feel really, really mad," Castillo said Monday after learning what Pujols said.
Castillo had his 35-game hitting streak snapped by the Tigers Saturday in a wild finish that left him standing in the on-deck circle when the winning run scored.
Like Castillo, Pujols is from the Dominican Republic.
Since the streak was snapped, Castillo -- who speaks little English -- first heard about Pujols' comments from friends. But the Marlins second baseman wasn't exactly sure what was said.
Luis Castillo / 2B
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185
Bats/Throws: S/R
More info:
Player page
Stats
Hit chart
floridamarlins.com
On Sunday, Pujols was asked what he would have done if Castillo came to the plate with the winning run on third base.
The Tigers manager didn't hesitate saying: "I have to (intentionally walk Castillo)."
Pujols consulted with bench coach Felipe Alou to plot how the Tigers should approach the situation.
Resetting the scenario: The Marlins trailed by three runs in the ninth and Castillo was slated to bat seventh.
Florida mounted a rally off closer Juan Acevedo, tying the game. With one out, Andy Fox was on third and pinch-hitter Tim Raines was at the plate with Castillo on deck.
Raines ended up giving the Marlins a 5-4 win with a sacrifice fly, scoring Fox with Castillo standing silent as the team celebrated.
"Felipe and I said we're going to look bad in our country, but we have to because he's the one hitting .350. With Castillo, you're not going to get a double play. I was trying to get Raines and if we had gotten Raines, we would've walked Castillo. I'd take the boos or whatever but that was the right move."
An intentional walk, Castillo said, wouldn't have gone over well in the Dominican Republic.
Castillo and Pujols don't know each other well.
"That's a tough situation," said Castillo, who is tied for the 10th longest streak in Major League history. "He's trying to win the game and I'm trying to get a hit. I'd feel really mad."
Castillo finished 0-for-4 and was held hitless for the first time since May 7.
The switch-hitting Castillo went 0-for-3 against lefty Mark Redman, and he bounced a two-hopper to shortstop batting left-handed against righty Jose Paniagua.
Castillo received some good news Monday, being named National League Player of the Week.
In six games played last week, he batted .450 (9-for-20) with two doubles, four runs scored and two stolen bases.
During the streak, he hit .403 (62-for-154).
As Player of the Week, Castillo will receive a specially engraved watch from gametimeshop.com.
"That's what I need," said Castillo, who never won the honor before.
"I'd feel really, really mad," Castillo said Monday after learning what Pujols said.
Castillo had his 35-game hitting streak snapped by the Tigers Saturday in a wild finish that left him standing in the on-deck circle when the winning run scored.
Like Castillo, Pujols is from the Dominican Republic.
Since the streak was snapped, Castillo -- who speaks little English -- first heard about Pujols' comments from friends. But the Marlins second baseman wasn't exactly sure what was said.
Luis Castillo / 2B
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185
Bats/Throws: S/R
More info:
Player page
Stats
Hit chart
floridamarlins.com
On Sunday, Pujols was asked what he would have done if Castillo came to the plate with the winning run on third base.
The Tigers manager didn't hesitate saying: "I have to (intentionally walk Castillo)."
Pujols consulted with bench coach Felipe Alou to plot how the Tigers should approach the situation.
Resetting the scenario: The Marlins trailed by three runs in the ninth and Castillo was slated to bat seventh.
Florida mounted a rally off closer Juan Acevedo, tying the game. With one out, Andy Fox was on third and pinch-hitter Tim Raines was at the plate with Castillo on deck.
Raines ended up giving the Marlins a 5-4 win with a sacrifice fly, scoring Fox with Castillo standing silent as the team celebrated.
"Felipe and I said we're going to look bad in our country, but we have to because he's the one hitting .350. With Castillo, you're not going to get a double play. I was trying to get Raines and if we had gotten Raines, we would've walked Castillo. I'd take the boos or whatever but that was the right move."
An intentional walk, Castillo said, wouldn't have gone over well in the Dominican Republic.
Castillo and Pujols don't know each other well.
"That's a tough situation," said Castillo, who is tied for the 10th longest streak in Major League history. "He's trying to win the game and I'm trying to get a hit. I'd feel really mad."
Castillo finished 0-for-4 and was held hitless for the first time since May 7.
The switch-hitting Castillo went 0-for-3 against lefty Mark Redman, and he bounced a two-hopper to shortstop batting left-handed against righty Jose Paniagua.
Castillo received some good news Monday, being named National League Player of the Week.
In six games played last week, he batted .450 (9-for-20) with two doubles, four runs scored and two stolen bases.
During the streak, he hit .403 (62-for-154).
As Player of the Week, Castillo will receive a specially engraved watch from gametimeshop.com.
"That's what I need," said Castillo, who never won the honor before.