Benches Clear Twice as Tempers Flare Between Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees

New York Yankees pitchers plunked four Tampa Bay Rays batters on Sunday, leading to the benches clearing twice in the eighth inning alone.

Tempers were flaring in the Tampa Bay Rays' game against the New York Yankees on Sunday.

The benches cleared twice in the eighth inning alone, as the Rays had simply had enough from the Yankees pitchers that kept plunking batters. Left fielder Randy Arozarena nearly charged the mound when reliever Albert Abreu hit him with a pitch, making him the fourth Tampa Bay player to reach base in that fashion.

“Looking at it, it’s a last-place team against a team that’s in contention," Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe told Bally Sports after the game. "They’re just trying to ignite something over there, whatever. Not worth our time at this moment. We’re focused on bigger things right now than worrying about a little on-field scuffle.”

It all started when Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón hit rookie shortstop Osleivis Basabe in the bottom of the first, at which point he had already given up a home run and put his team down 2-0.

Rays starter Zack Littell hit rookie third baseman Oswald Peraza in the fourth inning, right after he allowed a home run that vaulted New York ahead 4-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Ian Hamilton came in to relieve Rodón and immediately plunked third baseman Isaac Paredes. Hamilton hit first baseman Jonathan Aranda in the sixth, sparking a rally that put Tampa Bay on top 6-4.

No warnings had been issued to that point, nor had anyone been ejected.

Arozarena getting hit to lead off the eighth finally broke the tension, as home plate umpire Adam Beck had to step in to stop the All-Star from spiking his bat and charging at Abreu. After Arozarena and Abreu exchanged words, the benches eventually cleared.

Managers Kevin Cash and Aaron Boone met behind home plate to try and squash the beef, but it still took several minutes to get the game started again.

Tensions rise in the 8th after Albert Abreu plunks Randy Arozarena with an errant pitch on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/gOs5C3FvAb

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 27, 2023

Arozarena stole second once play resumed, then he stole third when Abreu's inside fastball nearly clipped designated hitter Harold Ramirez. On his way to retrieve his helmet, Arozarena started jawing with Abreu yet again.

The benches cleared for a second time, and center fielder Jose Siri came sprinting in to hold Abreu back.

Again, no punches were thrown and no one was ejected.

Benches cleared for a second time in Yankees-Rays after Arozarena stole 2nd and 3rd 😳

(via @BallyRays)
pic.twitter.com/kc4mh7tsPX

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 27, 2023

In the 13 games between the Rays and Yankees this season, New York pitchers have hit 12 batters. Tampa Bay pitchers, on the other hand, have only hit two batters.

The Rays held on to win 7-4 on Sunday, giving them the series victory in the process. Tampa Bay is 11-4 since Aug. 11, helping to make up for the team's 12-20 stretch leading up to that point.

The Yankees, on the other hand, are now 62-68. New York has lost 12 of its last 14 and needs to make up 6.5 games on the Boston Red Sox in order to avoid finishing dead last in the AL East.

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