Benches clear in Game 7: Why tensions brewed in Blue Jays-Dodgers World Series game

Dan Treacy

Benches clear in Game 7: Why tensions brewed in Blue Jays-Dodgers World Series game image

Nothing compares to the tension of a Game 7, and those tensions briefly boiled over at Rogers Centre on Saturday night.

With the Toronto Blue Jays leading 3-1 in the fourth inning, a hit-by-pitch caused the benches and bullpens to empty, and both rosters met on the diamond. The skirmish didn't get physical, with no one taking the risk of being ejected in a winner-take-all game, but both sides felt they had a bone to pick.

While the teams went back to their respective dugouts after about a minute, the incident was a World Series Game 7 first.

Here's what you need to know about the benches-clearing scuffle during Game 7 of the World Series.

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Why did the benches clear in Game 7?

The benches cleared in Game 7 after Toronto's Andres Gimenez was hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski. Wrobleksi had thrown two other pitches up and in on Gimenez before the hit-by-pitch, and replay showed Gimenez appear to stick his hand out in an attempt to get hit on the pitch immediately before the one that hit him.

Once Gimenez did get hit, he gestured toward Wrobleski as if to ask him why he was throwing so far in. While there wasn't any indication the pitches were intentionally aimed at Wrobleski in a game the Dodgers need to win, Wrobleski shouted back toward Gimenez and both benches poured onto the field to defend their teammates.

Earlier in the night, Blue Jays manager John Schneider had conversations with the umpiring crew about the length of time given to Shohei Ohtani to warm up between innings. Ohtani was given more time than typically allotted to warm up before the first and third innings because he was either coming off the basepaths or had just been at the plate as a hitter.

Schneider told Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal that he felt the time afforded to Ohtani was "egregious," despite umpires telling him they had the right to use their judgment in those situations.

Whether Schneider's protest of Ohtani's warmup time contributed to rising tensions between the two sides is unclear, but it added a layer of controversy before Gimenez was hit.

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Who were players involved in Blue Jays-Dodgers dust up?

The benches cleared when Andres Gimenez was hit by a pitch from Justin Wrobleski, who replaced Ohtani in the third inning and came back out for the fourth.

While no one else was heavily involved as the incident didn't turn physical, cameras caught Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas yelling toward Toronto players while Muncy stood between Wrobleski and the Blue Jays.

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Was Shohei Ohtani involved in benches clearing? 

Ohtani was not on the mound when the benches cleared in Game 7. Because he became the designated hitter after coming out of the game, Ohtani also wasn't playing the field when the incident happened.

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Did Justin Wrobleski hit Andres Gimenez on purpose?

Gimenez wasn't a fan of Wrobleski throwing up and in three times, but it would be hard to believe the 25-year-old reliever was intentionally looking to put the Blue Jays' No. 9 hitter on base in Game 7 of the World Series.

Gimenez likely knew that as well, but hitters typically don't appreciate repeatedly throwing inside -- and the pain of being hit only adds to the emotion of the moment. 

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