Things got heated between the Rays and Yankees after Albert Abreu hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch in the eighth inning. Tensions have been high between these teams all year. The Yankees have hit Rays batters 12 times this season, while the Rays have only hit two in return. After the pitch hit Arozarena, benches cleared for the first time. Players from both sides rushed the field, including Yankees’ Luis Severino, who lost his hat in the process, and Rays outfielder Jose Siri, who sprinted out to prevent Randy from doing anything that could cost his team.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Rays skipper Kevin Cash exchanged words at home plate. Cash pointed out the lopsided hit-by-pitch numbers. Boone insisted it wasn’t intentional but acknowledged the frustration. After the dust settled, Arozarena stole second, then third, clearly still fired up. A few pitches later, he scored on a base hit. The crowd got more drama with a second benches-clearing moment when another inside pitch nearly hit a batter. Again, nothing came of it. Players postured, got held back, and yelled, but no fights broke out.
The Yankees looked sloppy and out of sync, while the Rays stayed focused and used the moment to their advantage. Arozarena turned his HBP into a run, and the Rays keep rolling toward the playoffs. Yankees are out and playing like it. Everyone got loud, but no punches landed. Just another chapter in a one-sided rivalry this season.