Davis Martin ejected after back-to-back wild pitches near Sal Stewart's head spark benches-clearing incident
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin was ejected from Thursday’s matinee against the Cincinnati Reds after back-to-back wild pitches led to a benches-clearing altercation.
Reds Rookie of the Year frontrunner Sal Stewart, who homered in his first at-bat off Martin, was facing a 0-1 count when a pitch sailed over everyone’s head and hit the backstop.
Stewart looked at Martin immediately, but the Sox starter tapped his chest, indicating he didn’t mean for the wild pitch.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM However, Stewart took exception, and understandably so, when a 92-mph fastball came up and in on the very next pitch from Martin.
If Stewart hadn’t moved quickly, the ball may have hit him right in the face.
Instead, it just clipped the brim of his helmet for a hit-by-pitch.
From there, Stewart pointed the knob end of his bat at Martin, and it was clear he, at the very least, said "that’s twice." Martin was still claiming he didn’t mean to do it, but Stewart’s Reds teammates didn’t care to hear his side.
CINCINNATI REDS PITCHER RIPS 'F—ING FATA–' UMPIRE FOR GETTING IN DEFENDER'S WAY ON GROUND BALL MLB veteran Eugenio Suarez was among those shown on the broadcast running out to say his piece to Martin.
The White Sox dugout, though, was quick to move as well.
White Sox catcher Edgar Quero was pivotal in the situation not getting out of control, as he popped up from his place behind home plate and stopped Stewart from walking toward his pitcher.
Quero even walked down the first base line with Stewart as the situation unfolded.
After the tension dissipated, umpires reviewed the situation to see if Martin should be tossed from the game.
Considering that both pitches were near Stewart’s head, umpires eventually made the decision to toss the White Sox starter before he could complete three innings.
Stewart got the party started for the Reds at the beginning of the game, launching a home run on a hanging breaking ball by Martin into the left field seats.
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