Puig, 4 others ejected after benches clear in Pirates-Reds
A benches-clearing incident broke out between NL Central rivals that seems to stem from Cincinnati Reds utility man Derek Dietrich hitting and admiring a mammoth home run into the Allegheny River off of Pittsburgh Pirates starter Chris Archer.
Stand and stare.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 7, 2019
Derek Dietrich was in no hurry to get out of the box on this splash shot.
(Via @Reds) pic.twitter.com/QZ7xiCRPMw
Two innings later, Archer hurled a 93mph fastball behind Dietrich and was promptly issued a warning by home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg.
UPDATE: Tempers flare following this HR.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 7, 2019
Chris Archer throws it behind Dietrich in his next AB, benches clear.
(via @FOXSportsOH) pic.twitter.com/YP9YmfRZXp
Reds manager David Bell immediately took exception to the ruling, storming the field to seemingly argue how quickly a warning was issued.
Shortly afterward, both dugouts and bullpens spilled on to the field too, with outfielder Yasiel Puig having to be restrained by teammate Joey Votto as well as Pirates outfielder Melky Cabrera. Eventually, Puig breaks loose and lunges back toward the group, having to wrestle with teammate Tucker Barnhart in order to do so.
Both Puig and Bell wound up being ejected by Kellogg, as well as Reds pitcher Amir Garrett and a pair of Pirates relievers in Keone Kela and Felipe Vazquez. Puig was replaced in the outfield by Matt Kemp.
Archer went on to recover in the at-bat against Dietrich once everything settled down, striking the first baseman out on five pitches. The 30-year-old right-hander allowed three runs - all earned - on five hits and two walks while striking out seven before being removed following the sixth inning.