CINCINNATI (AP) – Charlie Morton pitched five-hit ball for seven innings, Neil Walker hit a review-aided home run and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Reds 3-0 Sunday in a testy game in which benches cleared after All-Stars Andrew Mcutchen and Brandon Phillips were hit by pitches.
Pushing and shoving ensued in the eighth after the Reds’ Phillips was hit by a pitch by Pittsburgh left-hander Tony Watson. Cincinnati’s Pedro Villareal hit McCutchen in the top of the inning.
No punches were thrown between two teams with a history of altercations dating back a couple of years, but the altercation rekindled twice before order was restored. Pirates first baseman Sean Rodriguez and Cincinnati’s Joey Votto were ejected.
Pirates Closer Mark Melancon and manager Clint Hurdle were automatically ejected after Melancon hit Tucker Barnhart with one out in the ninth. Newly acquired Joakim Soria got the final two outs for his first National League save.