Archer Throws Behind Dietrich, Reds and Pirates Benches Clear, A Breakdown

Apr 7, 2019 1.3M views 2:22
MLB Cincinnati Reds 2019

What Happened

In a heated matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates, tensions boil over as Reds infielder Derek Dietrich steps up to the plate against Pirates pitcher Chris Archer. On the first pitch, Archer throws an inside fastball that Dietrich feels is a little too close for comfort. Dietrich responds by crushing the next pitch for a towering home run, taking his time to admire the blast as he rounds the bases. Archer is visibly upset by Dietrich's leisurely home run trot and when Dietrich steps up to the plate again later in the game, Archer retaliates by throwing a pitch behind Dietrich's back. This incites a benches-clearing brawl, with both teams spilling onto the field and the two managers, David Bell of the Reds and Clint Hurdle of the Pirates, getting into a heated exchange. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart tries to hold back the fiery Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig, who is jawing at Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli. Reds first baseman Joey Votto and outfielder Melky Cabrera attempt to diffuse the situation, but Puig breaks free and has to be restrained by multiple players. The umpires issue warnings to both teams, but the damage has been done and the game continues in a tense atmosphere. "We're gonna f***ing hit you," Cervelli shouts at Archer, clearly still upset about the pitch behind Dietrich. Dietrich, for his part, seems unfazed by the whole incident, calmly telling the umpire, "You really took offense to that, huh?" The bad blood between these two NL Central rivals is palpable, as the Reds and Pirates have a history of on-field confrontations. This latest skirmish is just the latest chapter in a long-standing feud and it's clear that tempers are still running high between these two teams.

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the Reds and pirates got a little

scuffle today I've taken a look at the

tape this is what we got the first pitch

in the at-bat to Dietrich Archer tries

to establish the inside