The Yankees and Orioles clear the benches and take to home plate./ Courtesy of the New York Post
On July 12, during the first game of a three game series, the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles cleared both benches in a quickly escalating brawl.
But before the game reached the ninth inning climax, tensions were already high between the two teams. The Baltimore Orioles, leading the AL East with a 57-36 record at the time of the series, were closely trailed by the Yankees, who had a 56-39 record despite a challenging few weeks. The outcome of the series could determine the division leader, and both teams clearly felt the pressure.
Before the fight broke out, Clay Holmes took the mound to close the game. With one out, Holmes faced rookie Heston Kjerstad. After making an 0-2 count, Holmes threw a 97 mph sinker that wildly missed—hitting Kjerstad square in the helmet.
Kjerstad was quickly checked by the Orioles medical staff for concussion symptoms and was replaced by Austin Hays.
Kjerstad checked by Os med staff/ Courtesy of MLB.com
The brawl began shortly after Hays took first. Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde stormed the field, pointing at the Yankees’ dugout. In an attempt to keep the peace, Yankee catcher Austin Wells approached Hyde. Despite Wells’ efforts, both dugouts emptied, and even pitchers from both bullpens sprinted from the outfield toward home plate.
After the teams cooled down, Hyde was tossed by the home plate umpire Will Little. When the game resumed, Holmes got the final two outs to secure a victory.
The lingering question between both Orioles and Yankees fans is whether or not Holmes intentionally hit Kjerstad. Orioles fans assumed the high tensions surrounding the game led to Kjerstad getting pegged—and if anyone else was pitching, it wouldn’t be far-fetched.
However, Yankee fans took to Instagram with their opinions on Kjerstad’s HBP. On @theyankeereport, some comments were more tame, simply stating, “Clearly not intentional.” Others were more pointed, with one remarking, “If Holmes can’t hit the strike zone, how could he intentionally hit Kjerstad?”
And that spiteful fan wouldn't be far off. So far this season, Holmes has blown 5 saves for the Yankees, becoming increasingly unreliable. Despite this, Holmes retains the closer spot and secured a place in the All-Star Game. As of 2024, Holmes averages 9.5 walks per game, compared to 7.3 in 2023, 6.2 in 2022, and 5.8 in 2021. Clearly, Holmes has been developing an inconsistency in his balls-to-strikes ratio.
Given Holmes’ decline, it’s more likely the HBP was a poorly-timed accident. Regardless, the Orioles struck back in the second game of the series; RHP Dean Kremer hit Judge on the upper arm in what appeared to be a deliberate beanball. However, the Yankees did not retaliate after the hit.
The Orioles-Yankees series concluded with two wins for the Yankees and a loss for the Orioles—the Yankees’ single loss as a result of a blown save in the ninth by Holmes.
Both teams now stand with 58 wins: 58-38 for the Orioles and 58-40 for the Yankees.
Edited by Hadlea Lindstrom
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