Benches cleared during the Yankees-Rays clash on Sunday after Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch from Albert Abreu in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Arozarena took exception to the inside fastball from Abreu, nearly slamming his bat in frustration before turning to face the mound and attempt to approach the pitcher. He was held back by home plate umpire Adam Beck, but the outfielder continued to jaw at Abreu, who eventually began chirping back.
Both teams’ benches then cleared, at which point Arozarena was restrained by members of Tampa Bay's coaching staff and some of his Rays teammates.
The 28-year-old seemed to believe that Abreu had plunked him on purpose, as he was the fifth member of his team to be hit by a pitch during Sunday’s game.
Tensions rise in the 8th after Albert Abreu plunks Randy Arozarena with an errant pitch on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/gOs5C3FvAb
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 27, 2023
With New York trailing by two runs late into the game, it seems unlikely that the team would intentionally put Arozarena on first base. Additionally, Abreu reacted as if the pitch had gotten away from him.
Ultimately, the incident was solved when managers Aaron Boone and Kevin Cash met in the middle of a sea of players in order to verbally agree to some form of peace treaty. After things deescalated, Arozarena reluctantly took his base and play resumed.
Arozarena ended up scoring two at-bats later, via an RBI double from Brandon Lowe. The Rays would hold on to win, 7-4.
