Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was ejected from his start Tuesday, May 5, against the Boston Red Sox before recording an out in the fourth inning.

The 32-year-old was ejected by third-base umpire and crew chief Dan Iassogna for hitting Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a first-pitch 94.4 mph four-seam fastball – immediately after giving up back-to-back home runs.

The hit-by-pitch appeared to be intentional, especially because the pitch registered as the only four-seam fastball that Valdez has thrown in the 2026 season.

The Red Sox scored 10 runs off Valdez, including two in the fourth inning on home runs from Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu, both with bat flips. That’s when Valdez hit Story, who absorbed the pitch with his back.

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Players and coaches from both teams’ benches and bullpens poured onto the field at Comerica Park.

Valdez stood near the mound during the skirmish, all while his teammates and coaches exchanged words with players and coaches from the Red Sox.

There was no brawl.

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Before benches and bullpens cleared, Story stared down Valdez from near home plate, and Valdez took several steps in front of the pitching mound.

The two never came close to a fight.

Afterward, the umpires gathered, discussed what had happened and ejected Valdez. He didn’t protest the ejection, simply walking off the mound and into the clubhouse.

Both teams were warned not to retaliate.

Valdez – a two-time All-Star in his nine-year MLB career – allowed 10 runs (seven earned runs) on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts across three-plus innings, throwing 45 of 60 pitches for strikes.

He generated six misses on 34 swings for a below-average 17.6% whiff rate, while the Red Sox averaged an above-average 93.3 mph exit velocity on 16 balls in play.

Valdez has a 4.57 ERA in eight starts.

The Tigers – led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris – signed Valdez in early February to a lucrative contract that will be worth three years, $115 million if he exercises his player option for the third season.

The deal set the MLB record for the highest average annual value guaranteed to a left-handed pitcher, at $38.3 million.

So far, the results have been disappointing.

The hit-by-pitch in Tuesday’s meltdown didn’t help.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

For generations of Detroiters, the Dakota Inn Rathskeller has been more than a bar—it’s been a ritual. A place where communal tables, steins raised high, and the familiar sound of German folk songs have created a sense of belonging that transcends time. Now, as the city continues its cultural resurgence, the Dakota Inn is entering a bold new chapter—one that honors its storied past while opening the doors to an entirely new kind of experience.

This summer, the transformation is unmistakable.

At the heart of the revival is a sprawling outdoor Biergarten—an ambitious expansion that reimagines the Dakota Inn as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination venue. Designed to evoke the charm of traditional European beer gardens while embracing Detroit’s gritty, creative energy, the space invites guests to linger. Long wooden tables stretch beneath open skies, string lights glow into the evening, and the hum of conversation blends with live music and clinking glasses. It’s communal, celebratory, and distinctly Detroit.

But the evolution doesn’t stop with beer.

The Dakota Inn is broadening its cultural reach with a thoughtfully curated lineup of events that extend far beyond its traditional roots. Jazz & Film Nights promise to turn warm evenings into immersive experiences, pairing live performances with classic and contemporary cinema. The concept feels both nostalgic and fresh—an echo of Detroit’s rich musical heritage layered with a modern, cinematic sensibility.

Wine tastings, too, are joining the calendar, signaling a more expansive approach to hospitality. These events aim to attract a wider audience while maintaining the venue’s approachable, convivial spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply curious, the goal is the same: bring people together around shared experiences.

And then there’s soccer.

With World Cup excitement on the horizon, the Dakota Inn is positioning itself as one of the city’s premier gathering spots for international watch parties. The Biergarten will come alive with fans from all backgrounds, united by the universal language of the game. Large screens, cold drinks, and a festival-like atmosphere will transform match days into something closer to a civic celebration than a simple viewing.

What makes this moment particularly compelling is the balance being struck. The Dakota Inn isn’t abandoning its identity—it’s expanding it. The familiar sing-alongs, the old-world décor, the sense of history etched into the walls—all of that remains. But now, it exists alongside new programming that reflects the diversity and dynamism of Detroit itself.

This is not a reinvention for reinvention’s sake. It’s a thoughtful evolution, rooted in the belief that historic spaces can—and should—adapt to the communities they serve.

On any given summer night, you might find a table of old friends singing a German drinking song, a couple discovering the space for the first time over a glass of wine, or a crowd gathered around a screen, erupting in cheers as a goal is scored thousands of miles away. Different scenes, different energies—but all part of the same story.

A new day has arrived at the Dakota Inn Rathskeller, and if this summer is any indication, its next chapter may be its most vibrant yet.

The Dakota Inn

17324 John R St, Detroit, MI 48203

(313) 867-9722

Original Story: The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers clash on Monday night was anything but smooth.

Boston got an excellent start from Payton Tolle, who went seven innings in the contest and allowed just one base hit and two earned runs. After a five-run seventh inning, Boston took a 5-2 lead. Then, in the top of the eighth inning, the consest was delayed due to inclement weather.

This story will be updated as information surfaces.

Updated: The weather certainly played a role in Monday’s contest. Midway through the contest, fans at Comerica Park had to take cover due to lightning in the area.

The rain came fast and hard, but the action continued for a few innings afterward.

Eventually, with the crowd looking empty, the action started to get a bit sloppy. Tolle allowed the two earned runs on just one base hit. That’s in part due to two errors from the Red Sox behind him in the sixth inning. Detroit scored both of its runs in the sixth inning. Fortunately, the Red Sox followed suit with five runs of their own in the seventh inning in equally weird fashion. Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran smashed a homer to left field that on the broadcast looked like it was going to be a pop-up to left field, then all of a sudden it was out.

Wilyer Abreu followed up with a base hit to push Boston’s fourth run of the inning across.

Finally, Marcelo Mayer came through with a base hit to drive in the fifth run of the inning for Boston.

Then, in the eighth inning, the contest was put into a rain delay with the weather getting worse.

“The game is currently in a delay due to inclement weather in the area. We will continue to provide updates,” the Tigers announced on X.

At the time, Enmanuel De Jesus was on the mound for Detroit with Andruw Monasterio at the plate with one ball. As of writing, neither the Red Sox nor the Tigers has provided an estimated time for the resumption of the contest, although the grounds crew did start to move the tarp on the field. When the game does resume, Boston will be just six outs away from getting back in the win column. For Boston, it’s a game it certainly needs to win and currently is in a good position to do so. But, again, it’s not over.