The following exchange occurred postgame when YES Network reporter Jack Curry questioned Joe Girardi about pulling A.J. Burnett in the second inning.

CURRY: WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN YOU AND A.J. WHEN YOU REMOVED HIM IN THE SECOND?

Girardi: What do you mean?

CURRY:THE CAMERAS SHOWED THAT HE TURNED AND SAID SOMETHING IN YOUR DIRECTION AND THAT YOU REACTED AND SAID SOMETHING BACK.

Girardi: I didn’t say anything back to A.J.

CURRY: WHAT DID A.J. SAY TO YOU?

Girardi: Well, you can write what you want and you can say what you want, but he was pissed about he thought he struck out Joe Mauer. And I asked if they thought it was a strike and the guys said they thought it was a strike.

CURRY: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN YOU CAME BACK TO THE CLUBHOUSE? IT LOOKED LIKE YOU LEFT THE DUGOUT TO GET HIM TO COME BACK TO THE DUGOUT?

Girardi: This is silly. This is really, really silly. You know what, we had a fistfight is what we had. No. I came and looked at the pitch. There’s a camera, our video room is right down there, and everyone always seems to want to blow up about A.J., A.J., A.J. Nothing happened between me and A.J. I went down and looked at the pitch. And I’m tired of it. I’m tired of people looking for something between me and A.J. Me and A.J. have mutual respect for each other. I cheer for this guy. He cheers for me and we cheer for this team. I want the guy to do well and everyone’s always trying to say there’s something between me and A.J. What do you want, the pitcher to want to come out of the game? I mean, this is ridiculous.

CURRY: JOE, YOU DON’T THINK A PITCHER SAYING SOMETHING COMING OFF THE MOUND COULD BE INTERPRETED AS SHOWING UP THE MANAGER?

Girardi: I think people are always looking for A.J. And I’m tired of it. Case closed on that.

CURRY: HAVE YOU HAD ANOTHER PITCHER DO WHAT A.J. BURNETT DID TONIGHT?

Girardi Case closed on that. I’m tired of it.