MILWAUKEE (AP) — Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon admits he broke a rule when he let outfielder Sam Fuld warm up as a pitcher but pulled him before he threw a pitch.
Fuld pinch-hit in the top of the eighth inning Monday night, then took the mound with an 8-1 lead.
By rule, Fuld should have faced at least one Milwaukee batter. Instead, Maddon took out Fuld and brought in reliever Cesar Ramos. The Rays won 8-4.
The umpires said they thought Fuld was sore.
“We got away with violating a rule,” Maddon said Tuesday. “There were no shenanigans, no misinformation. I just think there was a miscommunication.”
Maddon said Major League Baseball executive Joe Torre called him. Maddon apologized to the umpires. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said he had no dispute.
