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Pirates-Yankees benches clear after heated exchange in eighth inning originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees turned an ordinary Monday night game into one of the most heated moments on the MLB schedule. Both benches and bullpens emptied during the top of the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium after tempers flared around second base. The confrontation came as the Yankees attempted to protect an 8-5 lead in the opening game of a three-game series between two clubs fighting for postseason position.
Players rushed onto the field and gathered near second base as several teammates and coaches attempted to keep the situation from escalating. There was plenty of shouting and shoving in the crowd, but the confrontation appeared to settle down before a larger fight could develop.
MLB quickly shared video of the scene on social media.
"Benches clear in the 8th inning of the Pirates-Yankees game in New York," the league wrote.
What caused the Pirates-Yankees benches to clear?
The incident unfolded after Pirates designated hitter Marcell Ozuna grounded into a double play with Ryan O'Hearn running from first base. New York turned the play from second to shortstop and then to first, forcing O'Hearn at second. The exchange around the bag led to players from both sides coming onto the field.
The scene provided a sudden burst of drama in what had become a quiet second half of the game. Pittsburgh and New York combined for 13 runs over the first three innings, but neither team scored again after the Yankees took an 8-5 lead in the bottom of the third. There were no immediate reports of punches being thrown or any player being ejected. The game resumed with New York still holding its three-run advantage.
The confrontation arrived at a significant point of the season for both clubs. Pittsburgh entered Monday at 52-48 and tied with the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central standings, while the Yankees began the night 55-44 and two games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. That postseason pressure may have added another layer of intensity to an already physical play.
MORE: Cardinals get up-close look at ideal trade deadline target Jose Soriano
Jazz Chisholm Jr. powered Yankees before tempers flared
Long before both teams spilled onto the field, Jazz Chisholm Jr. gave the Yankee Stadium crowd plenty to celebrate. Chisholm hit a three-run home run in the first inning to give New York an early 4-0 lead. Pittsburgh responded by scoring three runs in the second and two more in the third, briefly moving in front 5-4 behind Esmerlyn Valdez's towering 436-foot, two-run homer.
The Yankees answered immediately. Chisholm launched his second home run of the night in the bottom of the third, a two-run shot that restored New York's lead. José Caballero later added a two-run double to push the advantage to 8-5.
Chisholm finished with two home runs and five RBIs, supplying most of the offense for a Yankees lineup missing Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and several other prominent players because of injuries. New York ultimately held on for an 8-5 victory, but the eighth-inning confrontation ensured the final score would not be the only talking point from the series opener.
The Pirates and Yankees are scheduled to meet again Tuesday and Wednesday in the Bronx. After Monday's benches-clearing encounter, the remainder of the series could carry a little more tension than either side expected.
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