Yankees and Orioles in bench-clearing brawl after MLB star hit in head by 97mph fastball

The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles were involved in a bench-clearing brawl after Heston Kjerstad was drilled in the head by a 97MPH fastball.

Tensions were already threatening to boil over in the series as the Yankees felt there were too many high and tight pitches by Baltimore . It reached breaking point with the Yankees 4-1 up in the bottom of the ninth as pitcher Clay Holmes hit Kjerstad.

Kjerstad dropped to the ground as the ball knocked his helmet off and he was attended to by trainers. Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde had words for Holmes, which sparked an angry reaction from the Yankees pitcher.

Kjerstad got up, and the dugouts emptied after Hyde charged in the direction of hitting coach Casey Dykes. Hyde ended up being ejected after being held back by Yankee catcher Austin Wells.

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"It's an emotional time," Hyde said. "My guy just got hit right in the ear. I'm upset and then I see their dugout waving at me and yelling at me. I didn't appreciate it at that time."

“I was trying to limit the damage with that,” Yankee Wells added. “Nobody wants to fight, no one wants to be in that situation. So to be in the middle of it, I'm just trying to limit any unnecessary repercussions.”

Holmes has insisted he didn't deliberately hit Kjerstad in the head and he has sent his well-wishes. The pitcher said: "You're never trying to hit somebody in the head up high like that. I hope Heston's OK from that. Definitely hope that he's all good tomorrow.

"I was trying to throw up a front-door sinker there, and it just cut. The movement wasn't my normal sinker, and [I] just kind of pulled it. I definitely wasn't trying to do anything and hurt him, hit him.”

Kjerstad underwent testing following the game - but the 25-year-old was not able to address the incident. He did, however, appear in the clubhouse and was seen in high spirits.

The two teams will meet on Saturday afternoon and Sunday and whether Kjerstad plays a role in Game 2 is yet to be seen. The Orioles will want to bounce back on Saturday with the Yankees hot on their heels at the top of the American League East. Both Baltimore and the Yankees have 57 wins in 2024 - but two fewer defeats have the Orioles on .606 to their rival's .594.