Benches Clear During Minor League Baseball Game After Player Steps On Opponent

It must be something about the summer(ish) air that is getting to baseball players, as two different bench-clearing incidents took place over Memorial Day weekend.

Everyone saw what happened between Bryce Harper and Hunter Strickland during Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants on Monday, but very few people caught the minor league schism that escalated during Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds) vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers).

Things got awfully spicy tonight between the Dayton Dragons & the West Michigan Whitecaps. pic.twitter.com/CGTOLPPofK

— 120 Sports (@120Sports) May 29, 2017

From theScore:

To say things got a little out of hand between the Dayton Dragons and West Michigan Whitecaps on Sunday would be an understatement.

In the sixth inning of a tied contest between the two clubs, a benches-clearing brawl erupted after West Michigan shortstop Anthony Pereira appeared to purposely step on the foot of Dayton baserunner Jose Siri.

After that, all hell broke loose. In the skirmish, West Michigan relief pitcher Eduardo Jimenez hit the field carrying multiple baseballs and fired one at a member of the Dragons.

While multiple ejections occurred, Tom Nichols of MiLB.com writes it’s unknown if Jimenez was ejected, but he will “undoubtedly be reviewed by league and minor-league baseball officials,” for his actions.

Check out this pitcher using a ball as a weapon during a minor-league brawl last night: https://t.co/SsgHkCGe7z pic.twitter.com/qe7SNuMBJa

— Mike Oz (@mikeoz) May 29, 2017