Benches clear in the 9th inning as the Yankees top the Orioles in a matchup of slumping contenders
Benches cleared in the bottom of the ninth inning in Baltimore after Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad was hit in the helmet by a 97 mph pitch from New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes
By NOAH TRISTER
Published - Jul 13, 2024, 01:09 AM ET
Last Updated - Jul 13, 2024, 01:09 AM EDT
BALTIMORE (AP) — For over three weeks now, the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees have been in sort of a joint slump — not enough to knock them out of the top two spots in the AL East, but frustrating nonetheless.
When they met for one more intense series heading into the All-Star break, emotions eventually exploded.
Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad was hit in the helmet by a 97 mph pitch from Yankees closer Clay Holmes, and the benches emptied in the bottom of the ninth inning of New York's 4-1 victory Friday night.
“I think there was just some chirping back and forth. I know we’ve gotten quite a few of their guys with hit by pitches. They’ve gotten us," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said. "Kind of boiled over there.”
