Red Sox Pitcher Joe Kelly Suspended In Brawl With Yankees

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello is congratulated in the dugout after leaving the game against the New York Yankees following the seventh inning at Fenway Park.

That pitch appeared to be in retaliation for Austin’s hard slide in the third inning when his lead foot clipped the foot of Red Sox shortstop Brock Holt during a force out.

The pair went at it and it wasn’t long before both side’s benches had completely cleared and a mass brawl has broken out on the field of play. Mitch Moreland entered the game as a pinch runner and continued at first base. “I don’t think (the Red Sox) should have, you know?”

“Two competitive teams going at it and stuff happens, ” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. Peace was restored until a few innings later when Sox reliever Joe Kelly put one between Austin’s shoulder blades.

Kelly and Austin were fined as well, but the amounts of the those fines were not immediately released. “I thought there was absolutely nothing wrong with that slide”. Austin received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for charging the mound and fighting.

Ramirez, 34, underwent X-rays that came back negative, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. After a wild winter that saw the reigning National League MVP, Giancarlo Stanton traded to NY, the “Evil Empire” was officially back on the map. Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames shoved Austin across the infield toward the Yankees’ dugout.

The Yankees and the Red Sox brawled Wednesday night in Boston, renewing the best rivalry in baseball. Austin rushed the mound after being struck by a pitch from Kelly.

I was ready to defend myself.

The bad blood is back and both teams will likely be treating every match up as if it were a playoff game this year.

A year later, Boston’s Bronson Arroyo hit Alex Rodriguez with a pitch, A-Rod shouted at the pitcher, and Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek punched Rodriguez in the face, setting off a scuffle. But Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel was summoned and quickly restored order, retiring Hicks on a groundout and striking out Walker and Wade to end the game.

Former Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, meanwhile, signaled his approval of Kelly’s snipe.