Benches clear in Red Sox-Rays; 3 players ejected

The Boston Red Sox are struggling, and it's starting to show.

With the Red Sox down 8-3 in the seventh inning Sunday, Tampa Bay shortstop Yunel Escobar stole third base, igniting a bench clearing pushing contest that saw three players ejected. 

Boston's dugout, and especially backup catcher David Ross, appeared to take exception with Escobar stealing the unoccupied bag and a war of words ensued. 

The situation escalated when Red Sox left fielder Johnny Gomes raced in from left field to intervene and the benches emptied. Tampa Bay won, 8-5, handing Boston its 10th straight loss and giving manager Joe Maddon his 700th career win. It was also the third straight series the Red Sox were swept.

[Courtesy MLB.com]

There didn't appear to be any punches thrown, but the fracas resulted in ejections for Gomes, Escobar and the Rays' Sean Rodriguez.

All three players had pivotal roles in the game. 

Gomes tied the game earlier in the inning with a pinch-hit two run homer before Rodriguez came off the bench to hit a three-run shot of his own to put the Rays up for good. Escobar followed up with a two-run double before emotions boiled over.

Naturally, baseball Twitter weighed in.