BALTIMORE — The Yankees beat the Orioles 4-1 on Friday night at Camden Yards, and the benches emptied after the bottom of the ninth inning.
The two teams had produced some drama in their previous series in the Bronx, but the Yankees were unhappy, feeling that Baltimore’s pitching was too high and tight.
Tensions rose in the series opener at Camden Yards on Friday night when Clay Holmes, leading 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, hit Heston Kjellstad in the head.
Kjellstad remained on the ground and was treated by a trainer before getting up to head to first base, but Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde appeared to say something to Holmes from home plate, prompting Holmes to react angrily.
As Kjellstad headed for first base, the dugout emptied and an enraged Hyde charged toward the Yankees’ dugout, presumably toward assistant hitting coach Casey Dykes, who had been the first to emerge from the dugout.
Hyde was held back by Yankees catcher Austin Wells, but was eventually ejected.
No blows were exchanged and the teams returned to their respective dugouts, with Holmes still looking to finish the game.
Austin Hayes replaced the unconscious Kjellstad as the first base runner.
