Dodgers beat D-backs 5-3 in brawl-filled game

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Ian Kennedy hit Yasiel Puig and Zack Greinke with high pitches, sparking a heated brawl that involved players and coaches and resulted in five ejections in a game in which the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 Tuesday night.

Kennedy, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson and coach Turner Ward, along with Puig and Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire were ejected in the seventh inning after the prolonged scuffle that nearly spilled into the stands.

In the top of the seventh, Greinke hit Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero in the back and both teams came charging onto the field, but the scrum broke up quickly with no punches thrown.

That was payback for Kennedy hitting Puig in bottom of the sixth ― the ball deflected off Puig’s shoulder clipped his nose.

Kennedy then hit Greinke in the upper left shoulder ― the ball then deflected off his helmet ― with one out in the seventh and the game tied 2-all. It was the 41st batter Kennedy has hit since the start of 2010.

Kennedy immediately was tossed and calmly walked toward the Diamondbacks dugout before players poured onto the field and relievers ran in from the bullpens.

Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario began throwing punches and Puig rushed into the melee. Ward got slammed against a railing and was put in a headlock by Dodgers left fielder Skip Schumaker, who appeared to be trying to break up the fight as both teams kept pushing closer to the stands.

McGwire had Gibson’s jersey and windbreaker with both hands and was screaming at him.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly had to be restrained as he tried to get at Gibson, then they exchanged words briefly. McGwire and third base coach Matt Williams grabbed each other’s shirts in a tense standoff and shouted at each other.

Montero, still in full catching gear, ended up on the ground next to Ward.

When play resumed, Greinke took his spot at first base and, made a hard slide into second base when Schumaker, the next batter, grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Athletics 6, Yankees 4

Dodgers 5, D-backs 3

Padres 3, Braves 2

Mariners 4, Astros 0

Orioles 3, Angels 2

Pirates 8, Giants 2

Rays 8, Red Sox 3

Cardinals 9, Mets 2

Indians 5, Rangers 2

Marlins 5, Brewers 4

Blue Jays 7, White Sox 5

Reds 12, Cubs 2

Tigers 3, Royals 2

Rockies 8, National 3

Twins 3, Phillies 2