An old American League East rivalry was rekindled Friday night when the benches emptied between the Yankees and Orioles in the bottom of the ninth.
Yankees closer Clay Holmes hit Heston Kjerstad in the head with a 96.8 mph sinker that didn't sink much on an 0-2 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Kjerstad was quickly attended to by trainers and his manager, Brandon Hyde, but given the scary situation, Hyde was furious and had some words with Holmes and catcher Austin Wells.
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The benches empty after Heston Kjerstad #13 of the Baltimore Orioles is hit by a pitch in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera and an umpire stopped Holmes before anything could happen, but only temporarily.
After Kjerstad reached first (he was replaced by a pinch runner), Hyde walked back onto the field and yelled in the direction of the Yankees dugout; it appeared he was yelling at third base coach Luis Rojas, who was immediately responding.
Wells did his best to contain Hyde, but there was little he could do as both teams met near the plate and the bullpens came running from the outfield.
Heston Kjerstad #13 of the Baltimore Orioles lies on the ground after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
There was some pushing and elbowing, but no players were ejected (except Hyde) and there was no punching, so it wasn't exactly the brawl of 1998.
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he understood why Hyde was upset, noting that Hyde should back his players; Hyde, however, said the Yankees bench was “waving” and “yelling” at him, which he “didn't appreciate.”
Hyde said he “heard some things” as he walked back to the dugout, which prompted his reaction.
He added that Hjerstad was undergoing tests. “We hope everything goes well,” he said.
This has been brewing for quite some time, though: The Yankees have hit Orioles hitters 10 times this season, while the O's have done so just three times.
The Yankees, who own MLB's worst record since June 13, came away with a much-needed 4-1 victory, cutting their deficit for the division lead to just two games; the O's are now 3-5 against the Yankees this season.
Reigning Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole got off to his best start of the season, pitching six solid innings with one run, five hits and seven strikeouts.
Catcher Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees restrains Brandon Hyde #18 of the Baltimore Orioles after the bench was emptied in the ninth inning during a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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The division race figures to be between these two teams for the rest of the season, and judging by Friday night, it'll be fun the rest of the way.
They will be back in action at 4pm on Saturday.
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