Detroit Tigers reliever celebrates win over Tampa Bay Rays by tossing ball into press box

ST. PETERSBURG — Tigers closer Fernando Rodney said he was acting on emotion when he celebrated Friday's win with an unusual and dangerous maneuver: throwing the ball from the field into the press box.

The ball bounced near several working writers. No one was hurt.

Rodney said he was attempting to throw the ball to the fans. "It's nothing," he said. "I know maybe I'm not supposed to throw the ball, but I'm feeling the moment, like, man. … I don't throw it to hit nobody. I think I threw it to the right spot to not hit nobody. … A little celebrating."

Manager Jim Leyland said he wasn't aware of what had happened until a reporter told him. A few minutes later, Rodney was summoned to Leyland's office and met with the manager and general manager Dave Dombrowski.

Team spokesman Brian Britten said: "Obviously it's not something we condone. His emotions got the best of him. We've talked to him."

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer