JUPITER, Fla. — Tony La Russa and Jim Riggleman had to be separated when both benches cleared Monday during a testy spring training game between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals.
The scuffle broke out after three batters were hit by pitches, but no punches were thrown and St. Louis reliever Miguel Batista was the only player ejected. The Nationals went on to a 7-2 victory.
With his team trailing 4-2 in the seventh inning, Batista plunked Ian Desmond in the back. While making his way to first, Desmond jawed with Cardinals catcher Tony Cruz, who was walking behind him. Upon reaching first base, Desmond turned to the mound and yelled at Batista — the two were teammates last season with Washington.
Players from both teams poured onto the field, gathering around first base in front of the St. Louis dugout. La Russa, the Cardinals’ 66-year-old manager, and Riggleman, his counterpart, had to be separated during the fray.
Washington outfielder Nyjer Morgan, known for having a hot temper, also needed to be restrained by a Nationals coach. Morgan might have drawn the ire of the Cardinals earlier by running into Albert Pujols during a close play at first base.
Livan Hernandez pitched five solid innings for Washington. Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings.
Phillies 4, Red Sox 1
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Roy Halladay looked ready for opening day and beyond, pitching into the eighth inning to lead Philadelphia past Boston.
Twins 4, Pirates 1
BRADENTON, Fla. — Joe Mauer had two hits and an RBI to help Minnesota beat Pittsburgh.
Tigers 9, Astros 1
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Victor Martinez had three hits and Detroit roughed up Houston starter Brett Myers.
Mets 8, Braves 7
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jason Bay of Trail, B.C., drove in three runs and New York, after a messy inning by opening-day starter Mike Pelfrey, scored four times in the bottom of the ninth to beat Atlanta.
Rays 3, Yankees 1
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Bartolo Colon made another strong bid for a spot in the Yankees’ rotation, allowing one run over six innings in New York’s loss to Tampa Bay.
Colon gave up two hits and struck out five during his 64-pitch outing. In four exhibition starts, the burly right-hander has allowed four runs over 15 innings. He is competing with Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and Sergio Mitre for two openings behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes.