Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (Wikipedia)
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees engaged in a benches-clearing brawl on Wednesday night, and catcher Christian Vazquez believes the feud may not yet be over.
The massive fight began in the seventh inning of the Bombers’ 10-7 victory at Fenway Park. Boston reliever Joe Kelly nearly hit Yankees designated hitter Tyler Austin on one throw, then two pitches afterwards actually struck Austin in the back with a 97-mph toss. Austin screamed and furiously tossed his bat onto the field.
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Austin started making his way to the mound, and Kelly signaled for him to keep approaching. Then, all hell broke loose as Austin pushed Kelly onto the ground, both benches emptied and even coaches became involved and attempted to help officials separate players.
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Kelly left Austin with a bruised mouth after punching him several times and unsurprisingly, both players were ejected. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge seemed to be among the least violent players in the fight. In fact, both sluggers appeared to try and create peace amid the chaos.
There had already been some tension brewing at Fenway Park before Kelly hit Austin. The Yankees designated hitter slid roughly into shortstop Brock Holt in the third inning while attempting to spit a double play. Austin was marked safe and Holt and the Red Sox were livid.
“He overslid,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated about Austin, “and his spikes were up.”
Austin’s spikes reportedly struck Holt in his calf region.
After the game, Vazquez said he expects the Yankees will seek further revenge for Kelly’s hit-by-pitch and the ensuing fight.
“You know that’s coming. They feel like us,” said the Red Sox catcher. “The clubhouse is our second home. It’s wanting to protect our home. So it will be something soon. If not this series maybe in New York.”
Stanton also said he predicts the feud will carry over in Thursday’s series finale.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, on the other hand, said he believes the feud between the two teams has been resolved and will not continue.
The Red Sox (9-2) and Yankees (6-6) will face off in Boston for the series finale Thursday at 7:10pm EST. The series is tied 1-1, after the Red Sox thrashed the Bombers 14-1 on Tuesday.
The brawl between Boston and New York wasn’t the only giant melee involving two MLB teams on Wednesday. The San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies also engaged in fisticuffs at Coors Field after Padres starter Luis Perdomo threw a fastball behind Nolan Arenado and the Rockies star charged the mound.
The benches cleared and five players including Perdomo and Arenado were ejected.
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