Carlos Gomez provided some Fourth of July fireworks in the Rays' dugout Wednesday, destroying a water cooler in a display of frustration after striking out in Tampa Bay's 3-0 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday.
We weren't *going* to have fireworks at Marlins Park today... pic.twitter.com/7MQAbkbgXU
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 4, 2018
The Rays had runners at first and second with no outs in the second inning when Gomez squared to bunt on an 0-1 pitch from Marlins right-hander Jose Urena.
The ball appeared to hit Gomez's right hand, but plate umpire Chris Segal called it a foul ball, saying that Gomez had offered at the pitch. Gomez struck out on the next pitch and appeared to say something briefly to Segal as he headed to the dugout.
Once in the dugout, Gomez smashed a small rectangular cooler with his bat. He then punched a larger cooler.
Gomez, 32, is struggling through a rough season with the Rays. He went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's game and now has a career-worst .195 batting average.
"When I'm angry, I'm not thinking really well," he said. "If they fine for me this, I've got enough money to pay."
Gomez said he was upset because he thought he had been hit by the pitch that Segal called a foul. Gomez was jeered in subsequent at-bats by the crowd of 7,572.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
