Benches Clear In Yankees-Orioles After Fastball To Helmet

The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees rivalry is starting to heat up. O's outfielder Heston Kjerstad was rocked by a 97mph fastball from Yanks closer Clay Holmes last night.

It's no secret that both the Orioles and Yankees have stellar lineups this year to allow either team to potentially make it deep into the playoffs. However, as of late, both have been struggling more than they'd like and last night it appeared to get the best of them.

"There was just some chirping back and forth. I know we've gotten quite a few of their guys hit by pitches. They've gotten us. Kind of boiled over there," Yankees Captain Aaron Judge told reporters after the game.

BENCHES CLEAR AFTER 9TH INNING PITCH HIT ORIOLES BATTER

From optics alone, last night's fastball straight to the helmet of Kjerstad was no laughing matter - something that O's manager Brandon Hyde made known when he immediately came out of the dugout and began pointing and berating the Yankees dugout before having to be restrained by New York catcher Austin Wells. That worked for about half a second before both benches cleared and everyone began pushing and shoving.

Hyde would end up being ejected as Holmes would remain in the game to secure the Yankees 4-1 victory and remain one game back behind Baltimore.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjrstad remains on the ground after being hit by the Yankees closer Clay Holmes..  (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

RIVALRY HEATING UP BETWEEN ORIOLES AND YANKEES

Although Holmes and the Yankees claimed after the game that the pitch to Kjerstad was unintentional - and it very well may have been, the friction between both ball clubs this year has been building up. In the eight games that the two teams have faced each other, 10 Orioles batters and 3 Yankees hitters have been hit by pitches - including both Yankees star Aaron Judge and the Orioles' Gunnar Henderson.

Something tells me this isn't the end of this rivalry as the AL East continues to head up with the Boston Red Sox closing in and only 5.5 games behind the 1st place Orioles.

As someone who will be at the Orioles game later today when they host the Yankees, you can be sure that I'll have my popcorn ready to go because there will no doubt be tension and excitement as both teams try to get the best of one another.