Hyde defends Tate in Pham controversy

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde denied this afternoon that rookie pitcher Dillon Tate intended to throw near Tommy Pham's head yesterday in the 10th inning and noted how players in his dugout weren't "chirping." Or making any sounds.

"I was surprised," Hyde said when asked about Pham's postgame comments. "I'm sitting in the dugout. I've never heard one of our guys all year. This is one of the quietest groups in the world and we're in a place that's kind of like in the Florida State League where you can hear the lights buzz, so you're going to be able to hear everything. I didn't hear anything.

"So I think the whole thing is obviously, even that it's a story is pretty ridiculous. I have a ton of appreciation for a guy not feeling good about a ball being up and in. I've been hit in the head, I've been hit in the face. It's not a good feeling. However, common sense is going to tell you that Dillon Tate's on the mound and trying to get through a major league inning. He's only had a handful of appearances in the big leagues and he's throwing in a tie game in the 10th inning. The last thing he's trying to do is hit anybody.

"It's not a story for me."

Hyde didn't address the subject with Tate for the reason stated.

"It's not even ... it's a fastball that went in," Hyde said.

Hyde said he commended Tate for how the rookie handled the topic earlier today while talking to the media.

"But it's pretty ridiculous," Hyde said.

Hyde knows Pham after managing against him in the Florida State League in 2008 and while serving on the Cubs' coaching staff. Pham played for the Cardinals.

"I've seen Tommy play a lot of baseball," Hyde said. "I really like his game. He's a high-energy guy, he's really emotional. He's a guy that's tough to play against, he's having a really good year. He hit three sliders out over the plate against us yesterday, so won the game for them.

"He's got a ton of tools and he's got a high motor, plays the game with a ton of emotion. I love the way that he plays the game. It's one of those things that happened yesterday that ... it's hard for me to even answer about something that I don't even think is even credible."

Pham could have been trying to motivate himself by casting Tate and the dugout players as villains. It's one theory.

"Maybe. You'd have to ask him," Hyde said.

"I mean, it's a fastball from a guy that just got to the big leagues and is trying to survive the 10th inning in a tie game and he's never been in that situation. Next thing you know I read about (Pham) making those comments.

"I don't even know where it came from, to be honest with you."

Rays manager Kevin Cash doesn't anticipate any carryover in the doubleheader. Pham is batting second in Game 1.

"No, I'm not concerned," Cash said. "Look, I certainly respect Tommy and the intensity he brings. That's a big situation in the game. Look, he got hit on the knee, that doesn't feel good. No intent. I think it was a breaking ball.

"His last at-bat he got thrown up and in. There was no intent by that. A young pitcher trying to get him out, throwing a sinkerball in. Still, it doesn't feel good and it's not comfortable when you get 95 thrown around your head. So, I understand his frustration."

The dilemma for Hyde is he's been trying to get his pitchers to throw inside, to become more aggressive, and doesn't want the Pham flap to discourage them.

"Not up here (neck), but inside all year," he said. "I think it's pretty well reported about the homers we give up, what our pitching numbers look like. For guys to be able to sit out over the plate on us all year long has been frustrating, so to be able to have guys even just try to locate the ball in or throw the ball off the plate in to try to open up the plate away for him, I think that's pitching.

"I don't even know what that was yesterday. I think when I looked at the replay this morning, he was trying to throw a fastball in and it got up there a little too high and Tommy didn't appreciate it. So that's where we are."