During the first game of a doubleheader, tempers flared between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds and it led to both benches emptying out.
Tempers flare between #Cubs–#Reds after Amir Garrett strikes out Javier Baez and Baez takes issue with Garrett’s celebration. pic.twitter.com/bk1pD6t4dE
— Matt Johnson (@MattJ_Sports) May 19, 2018
In the top of the seventh inning, Reds’ relief pitcher Amir Garrett struck out Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez to preserve Cincinnati’s 4-2 lead. Garrett let out a scream and pumped his fists after Baez’s swinging strikeout, to which Baez took exception.
Both players started exchanging words as Cincinnati walked off the field when Baez started walking back towards the pitcher and took off his helmet. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart stepped in to keep his pitcher away, while Cubs’ first base coach Will Venable came down to prevent Baez from getting closer.
Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo came running in and started yelling at Garrett, then both benches emptied and started exchanging words and shoves.
No players were ejected from the game and the crowd was broken up within a few minutes. The two teams will play the second half of their doubleheader in the afternoon, so this will be something to monitor between the division foes.