Reds vs. Pirates: Jared Hughes says he's 'confused' about racism allegation

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-handed pitcher Jared Hughes is confused by the allegation made by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips that Hughes directed a racial remark towards him during a game two weeks ago.

According to Phillips, the incident occurred after Hughes hit the Reds' second baseman in the eighth inning of the game played in Cincinnati on Sept. 10. Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen arranged a phone call between the two the day after the incident and Hughes was under the impression that they had come to an understanding about what had happened.

Via Timesonline.com:

"I hung up the phone with a really good feeling," Hughes said. "More than anything, the conversation left me feeling that Brandon Phillips was a really good guy."

Then Phillips appeared on NBC Sports Network later that day and still accused Hughes of being racist.

"What bothers me is that it cuts to the core of who I am as a person," Hughes said. "I am not a racist and I've never had anything happen in my life that would cause someone to think I'm a racist. That bothers me, to have my character brought into question. It's not the type of person I am or how I was raised. It hurts."

Hughes contends that it is an off-the-field issue between he and Phillips and stated that it will not impact the up-coming three-game weekend set between the two teams.