The rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees ramped up a notch Wednesday night, when the benches cleared twice, including a brawl featuring Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly and Yankees designated hitter Tyler Austin.
Austin was at the center of an incident in the second inning when he slid into second base with his cleats up and hit Red Sox shortstop Brock Holt, inciting a minor fracas. After Austin took a Kelly fastball to the ribs in the seventh inning, he slammed his bat to the ground and charged the mound, as the two players exchanged a number of punches in the skirmish.
After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone had some strong words …