Orioles Manager Explains Role In Bench-Clearing Fracas With Yankees

A scary incident unfolded at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, and a benches-clearing shouting match captured headlines.

Yankees closer Clay Holmes drilled Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad with a fastball in the bottom of the ninth inning. The scene quickly turned ugly as after he checked on his player, Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde erupted and shouted at the New York dugout. It caused benches to clear, and both sides pushed and shoved each other. Yanks catcher Austin Wells tried to hold Hyde back, but he shoved him out of the way, and the manager later was ejected.

“It’s an emotional time at that time,” Hyde told reporters, per The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty. “I got my guy who just got hit right in the ear. I’m upset and then I see their dugout. They’re waving at me and yelling at me, so I just didn’t appreciate it at the time.”

Manager Aaron Boone understood Hyde’s frustrations, and Friday’s matchup finished without incident as Holmes retired the next two hitters without issue to give New York the 4-1 win.

In the last series between the sides last month, four Orioles players were hit by pitches compared to two Yankees. Boone hoped Friday’s incident would not leak into the middle matchup of the series, but fans will have to wait until Saturday afternoon to find out how each side responds.