The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees have found themselves in a joint slump leading up to the All-Star break. While this hasn’t affected their standings in the AL East, it has certainly been a cause for frustration. However, things took a turn for the worse during their recent series when emotions finally boiled over. Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad was struck in the helmet by a 97 mph pitch from Yankees closer Clay Holmes, resulting in a chaotic scene that saw benches empty in the bottom of the ninth inning of New York’s 4-1 victory on Friday night.
The tension between the two teams reached a breaking point as tempers flared. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge mentioned the back and forth chirping that had been going on, attributing it to the high number of hit by pitches between the teams. Holmes’ pitch hitting Kjerstad near the ear flap was the catalyst that escalated the situation. After Kjerstad was able to get up and leave the game, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde took matters into his own hands by walking towards the New York dugout, resulting in a confrontation that led to both benches and bullpens emptying.
Hyde expressed his frustration over the incident, mentioning that he did not appreciate the taunting from the opposing dugout after one of his players had been hit. Kjerstad was subsequently taken for testing, and his condition was unknown at the time. The Yankees, on the other hand, emphasized that hitting a player in the head was never their intention, especially given the challenging weather conditions that may have affected pitch control.
Holmes clarified that the pitch that hit Kjerstad was not intentional and was the result of poor conditions that impacted the movement of the ball. Both teams acknowledged the difficulty of playing in wet weather conditions and how it could have contributed to the unfortunate incident. Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole highlighted the mutual aggressiveness of both teams’ pitching styles, especially pitching inside, but emphasized the importance of player safety.
Division Standings and Performance
The Orioles and Yankees were seen as the primary contenders in the AL East, but recent performances have seen them struggle. Both teams have had a tough stretch, with Baltimore going 8-12 and New York going 6-13 since their last series. While the Orioles currently lead the division, the Yankees are close behind, with the Boston Red Sox also in contention. Hyde expressed his desire to see his team finish the first half of the season on a positive note despite the recent challenges they’ve faced.
The Orioles-Yankees slugfest serves as a reminder of the intensity and competitiveness in baseball, but also highlights the importance of sportsmanship and player safety. While conflicts may arise on the field, it is crucial for both teams to maintain professionalism and respect for one another to avoid any further altercations.
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