Ballplayer Gets Death Threats for Bunting

Sure, bunting to break up a no-hitter in the ninth violates baseball's unwritten rules—but death threats? It all began at a double-A game Tuesday night in Connecticut when Matt Lipka, an outfielder for Trenton Thunder, bunted with one out in the ninth inning against the Hartford Yard Goats, Sports Illustrated reports. The 27-year-old Yankees prospect laid the bunt down and ran to first in time to beat pitcher Ben Bowden's throw, breaking up the no-no. Hartford still won, 3-0, but tempers flared after the game and benches cleared. A source later told NJ.com that Lipka got death threats on social media, and now the New York Yankees are investigating.

"It is what it is," says Yard Goats starter Rico Garcia, who tossed six no-hit innings. "[Lipka] was doing what he had to do. And we were really passionate about getting the no-hitter. ... It's unfortunate we couldn't get the no-hitter. Emotions were high after." But as NJ.com points out, the Thunder were only down by three and Lipka would have turned over the lineup by getting on base—which could justify the bunt effort. What's more, the Hartford no-no was actually a joint effort by four pitchers. Regardless, you can see the bunt here and post-game fracas here. (Of course, this is a world in which a look on Beyonce's face apparently generates death threats.)