Wainwright backs off initial comment, says he didn't 'groove' Jeter's pitches

National League starting pitcher Adam Wainwright backed off comments that he had given Derek Jeter something to hit in Tuesday's All-Star Game. Wainwright

National League starting pitcher Adam Wainwright backed off comments that he had given Derek Jeter something to hit in Tuesday's All-Star Game. 

Wainwright initially said that he had grooved Jeter a couple pitches. The Yankees' shortstop slapped a double down the right field line off the Cardinals' ace in the first inning.

"I was going to give him a couple pipe shots," Wainwright said in an interview during the game. "He deserved it."

But after the game, Wainwright, who gave up three earned runs in the first, including a two-run blast by Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, took back his statement.

"Sometimes the reaction is from a dumb comment. I hate that a dumb comment came after a poor performance … If I'm going to get taken to the slaughterhouse for saying a stupid comment, then I deserve it." Wainwright said, via CBSSports.com. "I messed up. I didn't mess up in that way [throwing cupcakes]. I messed up speaking."  

The American League won the game 5-3, backed by Jeter and All-Star Game MVP Mike Trout, who tripled and doubled.

- Scooby Axson