Detroit Tigers

Trouble could be brewing with Pirates after V-Mart's harsh indictment

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

DETROIT -- Trouble could be brewing in this Tigers-Pirates series.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez called out the Pirates after being hit in the back by Pirates starter Gerrit Cole in the fourth inning.

It appeared to be retaliation for Tigers starter Justin Verlander hitting Sterling Marte with two out earlier in the fourth.

"Yeah, everyone knows that," Martinez said. "I mean, I have no respect for no one on that team, including Cole and their coaching staff. If they think that Verlander hit Marte with a 1-2 count, he was battling that at-bat. If they really think we did it on purpose, they're playing the wrong sport. Nothing else to say."

Verlander hit Pedro Alvarez with his first pitch in the top of the fifth and home plate umpire Chris Segal issued warnings to both benches.

Asked if that was payback for Martinez, Verlander said, "No. One got away from me."

Alfredo Simon is starting for the Tigers and A.J. Burnett for the Pirates Wednesday night.

Stay tuned.