Benches clear after A-Rod plunked as Yanks battle Blue Jays

Aug 8, 2007, 0:50 GMT

Toronto, ON - Members of both the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays poured onto the field after New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch during Tuesday's game at Rogers Centre.

The incident began when Rodriguez was hit with an inside pitch by starter Josh Towers in the third inning. Rodriguez initially moved toward the mound but was intercepted by home place umpire Angel Hernandez. This marked the second time in two days that Toronto pitchers apparently purposely threw at A-Rod. The first pitch that the now-member of the 500 home run club faced in Monday's game was behind his knees.

But on Tuesday, Rodriguez was in fact hit with the pitch and both benches cleared. Toronto's Matt Stairs had to be restrained in his attempt to get to Rodriguez, tempers temporarily calmed and the players returned to the dugout, only to rush the field once again after Rodriguez, from first base, exchanged words with Towers.

The tension between these AL East rivals stems from a game played here on May 30 of this season. In the ninth inning of that game, Rodriguez, while rounding the bases during an infield pop fly, yelled at a Toronto infielder and caused the ball to drop to the turf. The Blue Jays lost that game 10-5, but they didn't forget what Rodriguez did and sought payback in this series.

There were no ejections.

© 2007 The Sports Network