Yankees, O's clear benches after Holmes hits Kjerstad in head
The Yankees and Orioles were involved in a benches-clearing fracas after Baltimore outfielder Heston Kjerstad was hit in the head by a pitch from New York closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning of Friday's game.
Benches clear between the Yankees and Orioles in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/gtEdYC2YGD
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2024
Kjerstad left the contest following the play and is now in concussion protocol, according to Baltimore Baseball's Rich Dubroff. Meanwhile, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was ejected for his role in the incident.
Things escalated QUICKLY pic.twitter.com/n96q2wCOim
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 13, 2024
Hyde said postgame he was upset because he didn't like how the Yankees' dugout reacted when Kjerstad was being examined, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com.
"I'm reacting to their coaches," Hyde said, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. "It's an emotional time at that time. 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."
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Holmes didn't intend to hit Kjerstad and that he hopes the tensions don't carry into Saturday's game, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.
"I hope Heston's alright," Boone added, per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. "Nobody ever wants to see that. It was scary in the moment. ... Obviously, an emotional moment and two teams playing for a lot, so glad it didn't escalate too much."
Boone also acknowledged that he gets why Hyde got heated.
"I understand him coming out," Boone said, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. "Being hot, and one of your guys gets hit like that, it's scary, you know? Looked like some things were directed at Clay. I'm not going to get too much into it other than say I'm glad it didn’t get too carried away."
Holmes said the weather played a factor in Kjerstad getting hit.
"The rain just came," the reliever said, per Phillips. "Dirt's caking on your shoes. It's humid. It's just baseball. Sometimes, the conditions are tough."
New York moved within one game of Baltimore for the AL East lead with the 4-1 victory.