Red Sox expect retaliation from Yankees for Kelly plunking Austin

Benches cleared twice at Fenway Park in Wednesday's game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The first came when Yankees designated hitter Tyler Austin spiked Brock Holt with a slide into second base. Later, the Red Sox appeared to take retribution when Joe Kelly hit Austin with a 98-mph fastball.

"I think it's probably over with," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told The Athletic's Marc Carig.

However, it seems the Red Sox fully expect the Yankees to retaliate.

"You know that's coming," Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "They feel like us. The clubhouse is our second home. It's wanting to protect our home. So it will be something soon. If not this series, maybe in New York."

Boone said the Red Sox overreacted by throwing at Austin, telling Bryan Hoch of MLB.com that the Yankees didn't do "anything remotely dirty" and that Austin plays the game "clean and the right way."

"I felt like my slide into second base was a clean slide," Austin himself said. "I play the game hard. I thought there was nothing wrong with that slide. I had no thought that they were going to throw at me."

If the Yankees don't pursue revenge during Thursday's series finale, the next opportunity will come at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, May 8, when the vicious rivals open another three-game set.