Benches clear between Yankees-Orioles after Heston Kjerstad hit in head by pitch

Tempers flared in the ninth inning of Friday’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. O’s manager Brandon Hyde was clearly upset after Heston Kjerstad was hit by pitch, and the benches cleared after he walked toward the Yankee dugout.

Clay Holmes threw a pitch up and in on Kjerstad, which hit him in the head. After he headed to the dugout for further evaluation, Hyde walked out and picked up his helmet. Then, he promptly threw it off to the side and pointed at the dugout.

That’s when the fireworks began. After the umpires settled things down, they ejected Hyde from the game.

After the game, Hyde explained why he reacted the way he did and why the benches cleared as a result. He said the issue was with the Yankees dugout – not Holmes – and he responded in the moment.

“It’s an emotional time,” Hyde said postgame, via NJ Advanced Media’s Max Goodman. “My guy just got hit right in the ear. I’m upset and then I see their dugout waving at me and yelling at me. I didn’t appreciate it at that time.”

Holmes went on to get the save and give the Yankees a 4-1 victory at Camden Yards. For the Orioles, it was a fourth straight loss after a three-game sweep against the Chicago Cubs earlier this week, but they still hold a one-game lead over New York in the American League East standings. They also hold the third-best record in MLB.

Baltimore starter Cade Povich had a rough go against the Yankees in Friday night’s game. He threw 5.1 innings, allowing three runs and six walks while striking out five hitters. The Orioles bullpen then held New York to just two hits and one run the rest of the way, while Ramon Urias drove in their lone run on an RBI triple in the second inning.

As for the Yankees, they got a big swing from Aaron Judge, who hit his 33rd home run of the season to take a 3-1 lead. Juan Soto then extended it to 4-1 with an RBI single, and that held as the final – although some fireworks preceded the final two outs.

The Yankees and Orioles will play two more games to close out both the series and the first half of the regular season. Then, it’s off to Arlington for the MLB All-Star Game, and the festivities begin with the Home Run Derby Monday night.

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