Tense Dodgers-Astros Game Sees Benches Clear
Benches cleared Tuesday night in the first game between the Astros and Dodgers since it was revealed that Houston stole signs en route to a 2017 World Series championship that came at Los Angeles’ expense.
The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning.
The Dodgers led 5-2 after a five-run fifth when Kelly, who was with Boston in 2017 and also faced Houston that postseason, threw behind Bregman for ball four. Bregman grimaced after jumping to avoid being hit, then trotted to first base.
Dodgers’ Joe Kelly just misses the inner part of the strike zone on this one to Astros’ Alex Bregman.
Watch until the end. Yawn. ? pic.twitter.com/jwzHyE28v1
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) July 29, 2020
There were two outs in the inning when Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correa’s head. Correa took off his batting helmet and stared Kelly down before continuing the at-bat.
Kelly struck out Correa, then stuck out his tongue and made a face in his direction.
— Mike (@Doporto21) July 29, 2020
Correa started walking toward him and the players exchanged words, prompting the benches to clear.
Carlos Correa and Joe Kelly exchanged words after Kelly struck out Correa. Benches cleared following the exchange. pic.twitter.com/sVHaibpN2y
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 29, 2020
There was plenty of yelling and crowding — outlawed as MLB tries to play a 60-game season amid a pandemic — but there was no pushing and no punches were thrown.
Order was restored after a couple of minutes, but Houston manager Dusty Baker was still upset before play resumed and got in the face on an umpire.
‘That’s dirty baseball’: Houston #Astros ‘ manager Dusty Baker hot after benches-clearing incident vs. #Dodgers https://t.co/t4xIFVYZHu
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 29, 2020
“Balls get away sometimes, but not that many in the big leagues,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said after the game. “And when you throw a 3-0 fastball over a guy’s head, now you’re flirting with ending his career.”
Here’s what Dusty Baker said postgame about Joe Kelly in the 6th inning: pic.twitter.com/aQhTntXCH9
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) July 29, 2020
Houston was punished by the commissioners’ office in January for the sign-stealing scheme, which led to the firing of general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch.
The Dodgers had harsh words for the Astros during spring training, but Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said before the game that he didn’t think his team would retaliate.
LA held on to win the game 5-2.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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