After being thrown out at plate, Kevin Kiermaier grabs a data card which had fallen from Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays catcher. (0:33).
In a bizarre accident that started with a play at the plate in Tampa Bay's 6-4 win over Blue Jays Monday night, Kevin Kiermaier brought a Toronto datacard back to the Rays dugout.
During a play in the which Kiermaier was tagged at the plate using a slide, Alejandro Kirk took the card from his wristband.
Although Kiermaier stated to reporters that it was not something he looked at, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that he spoke with Charlie Montoyo, Toronto manager, about the incident. He claimed that he wasn't aware of it and would talk to his players.
SportsNet asked Kiermaier about the matter. He said that he hadn't realized it was the Blue Jays card when he got it. He told Canadian television that he hadn't even considered it. "But at the exact same time, it's not something I'm going to give back or drop."
The incident occurred during play and was captured by multiple outlets. Video shows that Kiermaier, who had been called out to end an inning, handed the card to Paul Hoover (the club's major league field coordinator).
SportsNet reported that Toronto sent a batboy to the Rays' dugout asking for the return of the card. The card did not get returned by Tampa Bay, and likely contained information about the Blue Jays' plans for pitching to Rays' hitters.
The Rays currently hold the American League East lead, but the Blue Jays are fighting for an AL wild card berth with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. There is also a strong rivalry between the two teams, as they are located just miles apart during spring training in Tampa Bay.
With 11 games left, Tampa Bay has a seven-game lead over Boston. Toronto is now just half-game behind New York in the second wild card spot. On Tuesday, the Blue Jays and Rays continued their series in Tropicana Field.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
