Orioles wise to ignore absurd taunt from Jeff Hoffman after Sunday's loss

Earlier this afternoon, the Orioles dropped an extra-innings affair to the Blue Jays in Baltimore. It was a tough one to watch, as the O's got 4.2 decent innings from lefty Cade Povich and hung around for most of the afternoon.

The bullpen eventually gave it up, with Gregory Soto allowing 3 runs in two-thirds of an inning in the top of the 8th. That allowed Toronto to tie up the game, and the O's would eventually lose in the tenth after Myles Straw beat out a slow dribbler down the third base line. Straw's single allowed Andres Gimenez to cross the plate and give the Jays a 7-6 lead.

Righty Jeff Hoffman closed out the final two innings for the Jays, notching 4 strikeouts while allowing just one hit. After the Jays secured the victory, Hoffman blew a kiss over toward the Orioles' dugout, clearly taunting Baltimore in a childish move.

Blue Jays' closer Jeff Hoffman makes childish taunt toward Orioles after Sunday's game

The smooch went mostly unnoticed by the players on the field, or at least that's how it was reported. However, the TV broadcast picked it up and those watching at home were privy to Hoffman's jest. Andy Kostka reported that several Orioles' players were asked about the taunt in the locker room after the game, and at least three O's said that they didn't see it happen.

While Hoffman blew his kiss at the Orioles' dugout, his taunt was more likely directed at Baltimore's front office. Earlier this past winter, Hoffman and the Orioles were in agreement on a deal that would have seen the former Phillies' reliever land in Baltimore on a multi-year contract. However, Hoffman failed the Orioles' physical due to a balky shoulder and he went back onto the market, winding up in Toronto on a three-year deal worth $33 million.

Hoffman was clearly miffed enough about the failed physical that he deemed it necessary to make a statement this afternoon. The righty didn't get a chance to pitch on Saturday and took advantage of his opportunity on Sunday, besting the Orioles on the field before showing them up with some extra curricular nonsense.

To his merits, Hoffman has been excellent in limited time this year. He's allowed just 1 run in 9.1 innings, and is now 2-0 with 3 saves on the year. From the Orioles' perspective, having Hoffman would certainly be beneficial but the main problem right now isn't the bullpen, but the rotation. Still, more pitchers is almost always going to be a desirable strategy.

It feels certain that this event will go by with little fanfare. The Orioles have seemingly already moved past it, which is definitely in their best interest. The two sides won't see each other again until late July, when what was scheduled as a three-game set will now be four, as Friday's rainout will be made up on Tuesday, July 29. With any luck, the two sides will be well past this bit of nonsense and we wont' have to watch them fight about something so trivial.