97 MPH fastball to the head has the benches free in the Yankees-Orioles game [VIDEOS]

Tensions boiled over Friday night as the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles met in a heated altercation during the final moments of the match.

Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes hit Orioles' Heston Kjerstad squarely in the head at 96.8 miles per hour, setting off a chain of events that saw tempers and emotions run high on both sides.

Clear banks between the Yankees and the Orioles in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/gtEdYC2YGD

— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2024

The incident drew swift attention from Orioles coaches and manager Brandon Hyde, who wasted no time voicing his displeasure toward Holmes and catcher Austin Wells afterward.

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Third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera and an umpire intervened in an attempt to prevent the situation from escalating further, momentarily diffusing it.

Although Kjerstad was replaced at first base by a pinch runner, the heated exchange of words continued as a visibly incensed Hyde directed his frustration into the Yankees dugout, with third base coach Luis Rojas that did not avoid the confrontation.

As both teams met near home plate, tensions reached a fever pitch, causing bullpens to erupt as players filed in from the outfield.

Summarizing the episode, Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Hyde's protective stance toward his team, while Hyde criticized what he perceived as disrespectful behavior from the Yankees bench, fueling the confrontation .

Explaining his reaction, Hyde noted that he was subjected to verbal provocations, which led to his response, although he expressed concern for Kjerstad's welfare while the player underwent a medical evaluation.

This matchup has been brewing for a while, highlighted by how often Yankees pitchers have hit Orioles hitters this season, adding fuel to the fire in this historic division rivalry.

Despite the matchup, the struggling Yankees picked up a crucial 4-1 win, closing the gap in the division standings to just two games, with the Orioles going 3-5 this season against their rivals.

Also, star pitcher Gerrit Cole delivered a breakout performance, pitching six solid innings of one-run baseball with seven strikeouts, showing off his Cy Young-winning form from the previous season.

The two teams meet again today at 4:00 p.m.

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