Tigers-Red Sox Benches Clear, Valdez Ejected After HBP

In Detroit, benches from the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox cleared Tuesday night after Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez hit Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a 94 mph fastball, leading to Valdez's ejection in the fourth inning of Boston's 10-3 victory.

The incident occurred after Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu led off the inning with back-to-back home runs, extending Boston's lead to 10-2. Story, the next batter, took the first-pitch fastball to his upper back. He stared toward the mound as Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and home plate umpire Adam Beck intervened. Players from both teams then emptied their dugouts and bullpens onto the field, though no punches or shoves followed. The groups stood for several minutes before returning to play. Third base umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Valdez shortly after.

Valdez allowed 10 runs, seven earned, on nine hits including three home runs over three-plus innings in a rough outing. Through an interpreter, he denied intent, stating, "It was not intentional. It might look like it, but it wasn't."

Story and Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy disagreed. "I was out there getting ready to hit the ball and it came up way behind me, beyond the...