MLB: NLCS: Close pitches cause benches to clear

Damn, I missed it. “Duck” Phillips was back to cocktailing at the time!

Tempers flared and benches cleared during the third inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday, sparking more than a fair bit of animosity between the Dodgers and Phillies.

Setting the stage, Dodgers catcher Russell Martin, hit with a curveball in the first inning by Phillies starter Jamie Moyer, had a Clay Condrey fastball buzz under his chin in the bottom of the second inning before grounding into a double play. An angry Martin slammed his helmet and pounded a cooler in the dugout.

Then, in the third, after Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda knocked him to the ground with a pitch behind his head, Shane Victorino appeared to be saying to Kuroda that if he was going to hit him, then he should hit him in the ribs, not the head. Victorino then grounded to first base and, after Kuroda went to cover first base for the inning’s final out, the two began jawing again. Both benches cleared, as Manny Ramirez sprinted in from left field to join the scuffle.

Several Dodgers surrounded Ramirez and pushed him to the back of the crowd, before umpires were able to restore order. No one was ejected from the game, although both benches were issued a warning.