Tensions boiled over in the Cincinnati Reds' series finale against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park, with benches clearing after the Giants' 3-0 victory. Cincinnati reliever Connor Phillips was ejected in the eighth inning after hitting a batter, capping a series marked by heated exchanges. No punches were thrown despite the spill onto the field.
The drama peaked after Giants reliever Erik Miller struck out Sal Stewart for the final out. Miller yelled at Stewart and pointed toward the dugout, prompting Stewart to yell back as players from both teams rushed the field from benches and bullpens. Reds manager Terry Francona helped restore order after missing the initial exchange. Stewart, who homered three times in the Reds' first two wins, said, “Tempers flared, things happened. It’s all good.” Miller responded, “I was just fired up... It wasn't anything personal. He happened to be the guy at the plate.” The Giants secured the 3-0 win in Thursday's finale, but the Reds took the series 2-1. Tensions stemmed from Wednesday's seventh inning, when Giants reliever JT Brubaker reacted to Reds outfielder Spencer Steer calling a timeout late, letting the pitch clock nearly expire. On Thursday, Giants starter Landen Roupp hit Steer with a first-pitch fastball in the second inning. Roupp called it a slip, though Steer questioned the pitcher's command, noting his rare use of four-seamers. Later, in the eighth with two outs, Phillips hit Giants' Willy Adames, leading to his ejection by umpires. Phillips said, “We tried to go in the first one... They know what happened last night.” The teams will not meet again until August 24-26 in San Francisco.
