Yankees, BoSox play basebrawl
A bench-clearing brawl broke out between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox on Saturday at Boston, after Bronson Arroyo hit New York’s Alex Rodriguez with a pitch in the top of the third inning.
Rodriguez stared down Arroyo as he started walking toward first. Catcher Jason Varitek, still wearing his mask, got between them as the A.L. MVP walked up the baseline and, after some jawing, pushed the Yankees star in the face. The dugouts and bullpens emptied.
Several scrums erupted, with Gabe Kapler battling Yankees starter Tanyon Sturtze, soon joined by Boston’s Trot Nixon and David Ortiz. Sturtze was bleeding from the left ear.
Varitek and Rodriguez were ejected from the game by plate umpire Bruce Froemming, as were the Yankees’ Kenny Lofton and Kapler. Boston manager Terry Francona was ejected in the fifth inning after arguing a call by second base umpire Mike Winters, who ruled Johnny Damon was forced at second base on a throw by right fielder Gary Sheffield after second baseman Enrique Wilson dropped a popup.
Sturtze pitched the bottom of the third with mud or blood on his shoulder, but he left after the inning with a bruised right pinky finger; precautionary X-rays were negative.
The game ended with Bill Mueller’s two-run homer off Mariano Rivera to cap a three-run ninth inning, and the Red Sox rallied to beat the New York Yankees 11-10.
Mets Wigginton could stay at 1B for a while
This business of playing first base could become a long-term affair for Ty Wigginton with the New York Mets thinking about increasing Mike Piazza’s catching duties.
The conversion of Piazza into a first baseman has hit some speed bumps with the catcher often struggling defensively at the new position. He is currently nursing a sprained left wrist from a collision as he reached for a throw against Florida on Tuesday night.
Piazza figures to miss several more days with the injury and when he returns to the lineup, it could be back behind the plate, where he has hit more home runs than any catcher in the history of baseball. It’s a thought that has occurred to manager Art Howe.
“I’ve talked to Mike about increasing his catching time,” Howe said. “He said, `Whatever you think. Whatever will help the team win games, I’m willing to do it.’ That’s the way he is.”
Boone glad to be back
Aaron Boone walked into Cleveland’s clubhouse, saw the new jersey hanging in his locker and realized just how much he had missed playing.
“I’ve never taken things like that for granted,” Boone said, gesturing toward the No. 17 uniform with “BOONE” stitched across the shoulders. “But it was pretty exciting to see that again.”
Boone moved closer to his major league comeback on Saturday, arriving in Cleveland to continue his recovery after off-season knee surgery.
A postseason hero for the New York Yankees last October, Boone signed a $3.6 million, two-year contract with the Indians on June 26, four months after reconstructive surgery on left knee ligaments he tore while playing in a pickup basketball game.
“It feels good to be back,” Boone said before Saturday’s doubleheader. “I’m looking forward to getting out there in the field and running the bases.”
Clearing the bases
The Kansas City Royals recalled left-hander Chris George from the minors to start the first game of a day-night doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians. And as soon they were beaten 10-2, the Royals sent George back to Triple-A Omaha and recalled third baseman Joe Randa from the disabled list. The Royals also designated infielder Damian Jackson for assignment. … The Anaheim Angels placed outfielder Jeff DaVanon on the 15-day disabled list because of back spasms. … The Toronto Blue Jays traded right-hander Terry Adams to the Boston Red Sox for a minor leaguer. The Blue Jays acquired third baseman John Hattig from Double-A Portland.