Benches clear briefly in White Sox-Tigers game

DETROIT (AP) Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale and Detroit's Victor Martinez exchanged words in the sixth inning Wednesday, causing the benches and bullpens to empty briefly. The situation didn't escalate.

After striking out Martinez in the third, Sale turned and tipped his hat toward center field. Then when Martinez came up in the sixth with one out and none on, Sale's first pitch hit him around the back of his left shoulder. Martinez walked slowly to first, and the two eventually started jawing at each other. An agitated Sale pointed out toward center field.

The benches and then the bullpens emptied, but the situation was diffused fairly easily. Martinez eventually came around to score, tying the game at 1.

Martinez is 15 of 29 against Sale in his career.