Trenton Thunder outfielder Matt Lipka reportedly received death threats after bunting to break up a no-hitter, breaking baseball’s unwritten rule against such a move.
Lipka bunted in the top of the ninth inning as the Thunder, a Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, faced the Hartford Yard Goats. His tap got him to first base and served as the only hit of the game on Tuesday night, according to NJ.com.
A team source said that Lipka received death threats on social media for dooming the no-hitter. The source also said that the Yankees were alerted to the threats and the team is investigating.
Despite Lipka’s attempt to get his team to rally, the Thunder lost 3-0.
The Yard Goats were not pleased with Lipka’s bunt, which broke baseball tradition. In fact, the benches cleared briefly after the bunt. Despite the heightened emotions, it does not appear that any punches were thrown.
Yard Goats pitcher Rio Garcia was dour over the incident.
“It is what it is,” Goats pitcher Garcia said. “[Lipka] was doing what he had to do. And we were really passionate about getting the no-hitter. It is what it is. I can’t really speak for what he was trying to do or what he was trying to accomplish. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t get the no-hitter. Emotions were high after.”
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.
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