Blue Jays fan throws beer at Orioles player, police investigating
Toronto Police want to apprehend the fan who threw a can of beer at a Baltimore Orioles outfielder during Tuesday’s Wild Card game.
When Toronto pinch-hitter Melvin Upton Jr. flied out to the warning track in left field to end the seventh, Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim was nearly struck by a can that was thrown from the stands. Center fielder Adam Jones angrily gestured toward the seats, and Orioles Manager Buck Showalter came out to register his displeasure with the umpires.
A Blue Jays spokesman said the fan ran from the section before police could apprehend the person. But on Wednesday, Toronto Police tweeted that they were investigating the incident and urged the fan to turn give themselves up.
“#Unsportsmanlike fan: turn yourself in. We have photos,” the department tweeted.
A Toronto newspaper, The Sun, is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person who threw the beer.
Showalter was asked about the incident after the game, which the Orioles lost 5-2.
"It's tough when you have that many people in the ballpark and one person does something that reflects poorly on all of them," Showalter said. "It can happen in any ballpark. I don't like anything that puts our guys in harm's way."
Teammate Adam Jones wasn't as diplomatic as his manager.
"That is about as pathetic as it gets," Jones said. "I hope they find the guy and press charges."
It’s the second straight year fans at Rogers Centre have caused problems during a playoff game.
Blue Jays fans tossed bottles and debris on the field during Game 5 against Texas last year, upset at the call that let Rougned Odor score from third after catcher Russell Martin's throw back to the mound deflected off Shin Soo Choo's bat.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.