New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox for Mookie Betts in 2020, defended fans who disrupted Betts in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday.

In the bottom of the first inning of Tuesday’s game, two fans grabbed Betts by the arm and glove as he tried to catch a foul ball. The fans tried to snatch the ball out of his hands, which they ultimately succeeded in doing. However, the game was canceled and fans were escorted out of the stadium.

After the game, Betts was ready to put the incident behind him.

“When it comes to the person in the game, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “We lost. That is irrelevant. I’m doing well. He’s fine. Everything is cool. We lost the game and that’s kind of what I’m focused on.”

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The Yankees were initially expected to allow fans back into the stadium for Game 5, but MLB then reportedly asked them to ban fans. The Yankees agreed.

While banning fans for Game 5 felt like fair punishment, Verdugo disagrees.

Verdugo was asked about the incident before Game 5 and said he “didn’t think it was too serious.”

“I saw it. It was perhaps something more extreme, some sort of attempt to dislodge a ball. But at the same time it’s kind of New York. I feel like that’s what’s expected out here. “You expect some unique things,” Verdugo said.

“In the end I didn’t feel like it was too serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off too. I guess that’s just the passion that New Yorkers have.”

Verdugo was also asked if he thought banning fans from Game 5 was fair.

“I don’t know it. “It’s like that, isn’t it?” said Verdugo. “I wouldn’t have a problem if they were here today or not. Ultimately that’s what MLB wanted to do and they need to show some kind of performance I think. Disciplinary action. So it is what it is.

Speaking to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, one of the fans – Austin Capobianco – said that he and his friend had always planned to do something like this.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco told Rogers. “We won’t bother attacking. If it’s in our area, we’ll go up ‘D’.”

“Someone defends, someone hits the ball. We talk about it. We are ready for this.”

Here’s the Yankees’ full statement from Wednesday morning:

“Last night, two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts.”

“The safety of players, fans and stadium staff is the fundamental element of every event at Yankee Stadium and must not be compromised.”

“Tonight is the last home game of the year and we want all the passion of our fans to be on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, but the exuberance of supporting your team can never result in intentionally attacking players at physical risk.

“The Yankees and Major League Baseball have a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior exhibited last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”

First pitch for Game 5 on Wednesday night is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET.

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