Brawl Ensues as Jays Spank Yanks

A decisive Toronto Blue Jays victory at New Yankee stadium Tuesday night turned into a massive bench clearing brawl that saw players, as well as managers involved with some minor injuries occurring.

The Yankees jumped out to an early lead in the game notching two runs against Toronto ace Roy Halladay, but the Jays turned things around scoring seven runs off Yankees starter Sergio Mitre.

Travis Snider homered twice, while Adam Lind, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista all added home run shots as well.

All the home runs were allowed by Mitre aside from the Bautista shot.

The Jays have had Mitre’s number all season.

Mitre has an earned run average of 10.88 in 18.2 innings pitched against the Jays this season.

You could say that Mitre was the original instigator of the bench clearing brawl.

Mitre hit Blue Jays third baseman Edwin Encarnacion in the top of the sixth inning before allowing an RBI double to Rod Barajas and receiving the yank from Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

After the Jays added yet another run in the top of the seventh inning, pitcher Mark Melancon hit Blue Jays slugger Aaron Hill right in the back in the top of the eighth inning.

This drew some obvious attention from the Toronto Blue Jays, especially reliever Jesse Carlson.

Carlson would square off against Yankees catcher Jorge Posada in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Carlson proceeded to throw the ball behind Posada which drew an angered reaction in which Posada directed the words “You don’t want to do that” towards Carlson accompanied by a fierce glare, as members from each squad’s bench and bullpens were ready to race onto the field.

Posada would continue his at bat and eventually draw a walk.

Now here is where the scenario became interesting.

After a single by Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and a double by centre fielder Brett Gardner, Posada would score from second base.

Posada decided it would be a good idea to shove Carlson with his elbow as Carlson backed up the play at home plate.

This lead to an ejection of Posada by home plate umpire Jim Joyce, but the action did not stop there.

Carlson would react and scream the words “Let’s go” towards Posada and the bench clearing brawl would begin as Carlson and Posada would wrestle each other in front of the Yankee dugout.

This was accompanied by a skirmish between Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas and Yankees call up Shelley Duncan.



As the altercation began to clear up, notable injuries were sustained by Carlson (also ejected) in the form of a large red gash on the side of his forehead.

Yankees manger Joe Girardi, who appeared to get hit in the face by Blue Jays utility infielder John McDonald, received a small scratch above his left eye near his ear.

With the skirmish complete, the Jays and Yankees would each add one more run as the Jays would walk away victorious 10-4, giving Roy Halladay his fifteenth win of the season.

Carlson declined to apologize when speaking to the media after the game and said he did not throw at Posada intentionally.

“It was a fastball in and I yanked it. Just a bad pitch,” said Carlson.

Umpires will review footage of the incident and report to Major League Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson.

Possible suspensions are very likely for Posada and Carlson, as well as some other players involved.

Footage of the incident can be viewed via the links below:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090915&content_id=6987710&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAqi4MqoiHI&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytt2LgS2PQ4&feature=player_embedded

An interesting night in Blue Jays land as the Jays certainly did show they have some fighting spirit left for the remainder of the season.

The Jays complete the short two game series tonight against the Yankees as they send Brian Tallet to the mound to pitch against Yankees starter Chad Gaudin.