The Yankees and Rays reignited bad blood during their August 8 matchup, with tensions boiling over from the first inning. Rays pitcher Andrew Kittredge came out throwing high and tight, which didn’t sit well with the Yankees. The issue wasn’t just the location of the pitches. It was the history. Kittredge had thrown at Austin Romine’s head three years ago, and the Yankees clearly hadn’t forgotten. Yankees manager Aaron Boone got tossed early after protesting Kittredge’s approach, sparking a wave of retaliation.
Masahiro Tanaka fired back by drilling Joey Wendell in the ribs in the very first inning, a clear message pitch. The Rays seemed willing to let it go after Wendell took it calmly, but things escalated in the ninth when Aroldis Chapman came in throwing 100 mph heat up and in on multiple batters. That’s where things got dangerous. Chapman sailed one right past Mike Brosseau’s head. No punches were thrown, but benches cleared as frustration boiled over. Rays manager Kevin Cash didn’t hold back after the game, calling the Yankees’ actions reckless and saying his own team had a stable full of guys throwing 98, making it clear his patience was running out.
The Yankees ended up with the win, but both teams left the field angry. Trash talk from the dugouts and players yelling across the diamond capped the night. The argument isn’t just about one pitch. It’s about years of back-and-forth, both sides claiming the other started it. Cash tried to distance his team from intent, except for the one pitch he pretty much admitted was thrown on purpose years ago. Boone stayed mostly quiet afterward but hinted they’d be ready for whatever comes next. The two teams meet again soon, and if the pattern holds, tempers could flare again.