Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks is done throwing purpose pitches.
That's what he said Monday, following his performance last weekend when he sailed a fastball behind Texas' Ian Kinsler.
Jenks later said the pitch was intentional because he was tired of watching White Sox hitters getting plunked with no retribution. Major League Baseball wants to investigate the matter.
"I'll not do it again," Jenks said. "But again, I wasn't trying to hit him. If they'll investigate that, they'll see that. It wasn't a dirty pitch. It wasn't up. It was right at his butt."
Jenks said he hadn't heard from MLB. He said his wife called him after hearing that the league will look into the incident. ESPNChicago.com was the first to report the pending investigation.
Jenks threw the pitch in question during the ninth inning of Chicago's 3-2 win Saturday. Through six games between the teams this season, Texas pitchers hit six White Sox batters; Chicago pitchers nailed one Texas hitter.
"I wanted to go in and send a message and I think that message was sent. Our guys have been hit a lot this series, definitely in a one-run game didn't want to put anyone on base. Just wanted to send a message and say hey we can play that game, too," Jenks said after the win.
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White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen found nothing wrong.
"The ball didn't even get close to hitting him," Guillen said. "You hit the guy or you hurt him, then I see something wrong. We'll wait and see what decision they'll make. I'm not going to get caught up in that."
Since Guillen became manager prior to the 2004 season, White Sox pitchers have hit 270 batters, the lowest number in baseball. White Sox batters have been hit 331 times during that same span.
"I see a lot of my hitters almost get broken hands on back to back days," Guillen said. "I never retaliated, because in my opinion, it wasn't on purpose. But if I'm a hitter and I keep getting hit, and my pitchers don't protect me, I don't want to play for them. That's the way baseball is and that's the way baseball is going to be."
Guillen has admitted in the past when he ordered a pitcher to throw at a batter, but insisted Monday he only does it when he sees his guys getting hit intentionally.
Guillen did not agree with Jenks' decision to throw behind Kinsler on Saturday.
"I know other managers will hit people every other day, and they hide behind the bushes like, 'We tried pitching inside. We didn't mean it.' Oh really? I'm not going to hit anybody when they (opponents) try pitching inside. But if I see a guy throw at my guy, I'm going to throw at your guy."
