Benches clear after Teheran plunks Kemp
Incident in Padres-Braves finale culmination of tense play throughout set
ATLANTA -- Both benches cleared in the top of the first inning of Thursday's 6-4 Padres win over the Braves in 11 innings at Turner Field after San Diego outfielder Matt Kemp took exception to a Julio Teheran fastball that struck the slugger's left shoulder while he was behind in the count, 1-2.
Kemp threw his bat down in frustration and the benches cleared while Kemp was on his way to first base, having words with Teheran. Kemp, who slipped on the wet grass while being restrained by home-plate umpire Jordan Baker, stole second base and scored the game's first run on a Derek Norris single.
Video: SD@ATL: Gonzalez, Black on quarrel, Black ejection
The incident was the latest instance of frustrations boiling over during this four-game series.
San Diego starter Tyson Ross threw behind Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons in Wednesday's 4-1 Atlanta win, a night after Simmons slid hard into Norris on Tuesday night, when Atlanta won, 6-5.
Video: MLB Tonight on benches-clearing incident in Atlanta
In the third inning on Wednesday, Atlanta's Williams Perez plunked Justin Upton.
"Nobody likes to get hit," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said after the game. "We weren't hitting him intentionally -- I can promise you that -- in a 1-2 count. Same thing a couple nights ago with Justin in a 1-1 count with Perez. But that's all I've got on that. ... Just two teams that get up early after a game last night a little cranky."