New York Yankees designated hitter Josh Donaldson. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Benches empty between Yankees and Rays

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 9/4/22

The New York Yankees second half collapse has made the American League East race surprisingly tight between them and the Tampa Bay Rays.

That of course adds another level of intrigue and tension to their weekend series in Tampa, and all of that boiled over in the second inning of Sunday's game.

Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson took exception to a high-and-tight pitch from Rays starter Shawn Armstrong. After words were exchanged and Donaldson started to walk toward the mound, both benches and bullpens emptied.

No punches were thrown and order was quickly restored, but both benches did receive warnings.

Benches clear in Yankees/Rays after Donaldson is thrown at up and in pic.twitter.com/s3DO8nunvs
— 573 Baseball (@573Baseball) September 4, 2022

The Yankees entered the game having lost 20 of their previous 29 games, including each of the first two games of this series in Tampa. Yankees manager Aaron Boone hoped that the 9-0 loss earlier in the series was a rock-bottom moment for the season. All of that has allowed the Yankees lead in the division to shrink down to just four games over the Rays.

The two teams meet three more times next weekend in New York.

The Yankees were winning Sunday's game 1-0 when the benches cleared thanks to Aaron Judge's 53rd home run of the season as he continues to chase Roger Maris' single season team record of 61 home runs.

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