The benches and bullpens of both the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles emptied after pitcher Clay Holmes struck Heston Kjerstad with a 97-mph fastball to the head, causing him to fall to the ground and be immediately taken out of the game.
During the first game of the three-game series between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, with a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and one out, a 97-mph fastball landed on young Heston Kjerstad’s head, resulting in his immediate removal from the game and prompting his manager Brandon Hyde to explode towards the Yankees’ dugout.
Clearly unintentional by Clay. He even went over to check in an apologize BUT
Hyde is trying to spark his team that’s in a funk. Only thing I hate is him “initiating contact” with Austin Wells.
Should be a fun couple days in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/Scr22f3fqp
— Talkin’ Jake (@TalkinJake) July 13, 2024
In the blink of an eye, while Kjerstad was lying on the ground trying to regain stability, his manager Brandon Hyde moved towards Yankees catcher Austin Wells who intervened to prevent him from reaching the Yankees’ dugout directly, causing both benches to empty.
Hyde’s confrontation was face-to-face with Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who chose not to leave the dugout while watching his players come onto the field seeking peace to continue the game.