CINCINNATI (AP) Jared Hughes errant pitch threw a load of fuel on one of the majors most flammable rivalries.
Call it Pirates vs. Reds, round two and a fitting farewell for Yasiel Puig.
Hughes hit Starling Marte with his first pitch in the ninth inning Tuesday night, setting the stage for the latest dust-up between the Ohio River rivals. Four Pirates and four Reds were ejected in Pittsburghs 11-4 win, including Puig, who was in the process of being traded.
The ball just slipped and it was real unfortunate and a lot of bad things happened afterward, Hughes said.
And its not over.
Reds manager David Bell faces a suspension for coming back onto the field and going after Pirates manager Clint Hurdle during the fracas. Bell had already been ejected for arguing a strike call an inning earlier.
And there was Puig, whos headed to Cleveland as part of a three-team deal for starter Trevor Bauer, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.
Puig prolonged the fight that started when Reds reliever Amir Garrett went toward the Pirates dugout and threw several punches.
Puigs summary of the inning: Thats crazy.
The NL Central rivals have been going at each other for years. The nastiness resumed this season when Derek Dietrich admired his homer at PNC Park in April, touching off a fracas.
On Tuesday, Dietrich got into the lopsided game late, and Keona Kela threw a fastball up-and-in that set off the Reds.
I just wanted to show them that we didnt agree with the way things went down, and you have to pitch in, Kela said. I was just going my part.
Between innings, Joey Votto exchanged words with Kela.
Today was an example of us standing our ground for what we think is right, Votto said. At some point, a group of players has to do that.
Both benches had been warned when Hughes plunked Marte, so the reliever and Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides were ejected. Garrett relieved and, during the inning, traded words with Pirates starter Trevor Williams, who was in the dugout.
Garrett ran from the mound toward the dugout and started swinging as players came onto the field. Garrett was upset over the up-and-in pitch to Dietrich.
I definitely do think they teach that in that organization, Garrett said. I dont think its right to throw at somebody. Thats not something you should do. If you have a problem, handle it like a man.
