By Sean McAdam
CSNNE.com
BOSTON -- The beaning of Marlon Byrd by Alfredo Aceves on Saturday night -- which resulted in the Cubs outfielder being placed on the disabled list with multiple facial fractures -- continued to have legs Sunday.
Before the game, Aceves said he's attempted to contact Byrd to apologize and assure him the beaning was accidental.
And then during the game, the issue flared again when the Cubs -- who'd hit Kevin Youkilis in the buttocks Saturday night in retaliation, resulting in a warning to both clubs -- hit another Red Sox batter in the backside. This time it was Jed Lowrie, and he didn't take it as serenely as Youkilis, who complimented the man who hit him, Carlos Zambrano, for "doing it the right way" by throwing at his hip.
"I'm ticked off. I just got hit with a 97-mph fastball," Lowrie said. "I mean, I understand the situation, but I'm ticked off."
Byrd was the second batter hit by Aceves Saturday night, and the Cubs only hit one in return before warnings were issued. So they reopened hostilities Sunday night in the eighth inning with the Red Sox leading, 5-1.
Reliever Kerry Wood missed inside with his first pitch to Lowrie, then hit him with his second.
Boston Red Sox
"After he missed the first one, I figured there's a good chance I'd get hit," Lowrie said.
"The other day they were upset, because they didn't like the warningwhen I got hit," added Youkilis. "They were saying two guys got hit to one. So I guessnow we're even until 100 years from now, when we play again."
Aceves, the man who started the whole thing, said he did it unintentionally.
"I'mconcerned about Byrd, of course,'' said Aceves, who's tried to reach Byrd several times but, as of yet, has been unsuccessful. "He's a major-leaguehitter. I was trying to call him and say I'm sorry and that I'mconcerned with his health.
"There was nothing youcan do about the hit-by-pitch. It was notintentional.''
Aceves said he once hit his brother,Jonathan, a catcher, in the head when they played against one anotherin the MexicanLeague.
Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena, who played for the Red Sox in 2006 and against them 18 times year as a member of the Rays from 2007-10, said he understood Byrd wasn't hit on purpose and that Aceves would be attempting to reach him.
"I know the Red Sox are a very professional bunch, so I know they're on it," said Pena. "All those guys getting to first base after Byrd was hit Saturday night, Youkilis, Lowrie, David Ortiz, from the dugout, they were all yelling at me, 'How's Marlon? How's Marlon?' . . . They were all concerned for his health."
Sean McAdam can be reached at smcadam@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sean on Twitter at http:twitter.comsean_mcadam