Yankees, Blue Jays brawl after Luis Severino plunks Justin Smoak
The Yankees and Blue Jays brawled on Monday night following a series of hit-by-pitches.
It all started in the first inning, when Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson was hit on the left elbow by an inside fastball from starter Luis Severino. Toronto lefthander J.A. Happ then came back in the top of the second by hitting Chase Headley, causing the benches to clear a first time.
Then, in the bottom of the second, Severino drilled Justin Smoak on the leg with a fastball, inciting a brawl. Donaldson came charging out of the dugout as Severino approached Smoak and readied for a fight.
Severino, along with manager Joe Girardi, bench coach Rob Thomson and pitching coach Larry Rothschild were all ejected. It also appeared that Yankees first baseman Tyler Austin and Blue Jays pitcher Joaquin Benoit were shaken up after the fight.
Toronto leads the AL wild card race at 86–69, while the Yankees’ elimination number was two entering Monday.
– Kenny Ducey
