Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the second inning by smashing a Steven Matz fastball to the opposite field for a three-run home run. The 6-3 score would hold into the middle innings.
In the fifth inning, Teixeira took his next at-bat against Matz. Matz threw a first-pitch fastball at Teixeira’s legs, hitting him in the left shin. Understandably, Teixeira wasn’t happy about that. He started shouting at Matz and catcher Rene Rivera had to get in his way. Both teams’ benches and bullpens emptied, but peace was quickly restored. In fact, the Mets’ bullpen just stood awkwardly in the outfield, collectively wondering if it was worth the effort to jog towards the infield if nothing was going to happen.
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In the next at-bat, Chase Headley would ground into an inning-ending double play. Teixeira went hard at second baseman Neil Walker -- legally -- trying to break up the double play attempt. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
The oddities would continue. In the seventh inning, Mets reliever Hansel Robles allowed a leadoff single to Gary Sanchez followed by a double to Aaron Hicks, putting runners on second and third. Robles struck Jacoby Ellsbury out, then yielded a sacrifice fly to Rob Refsnyder, bringing Teixeira back to the plate. Teixeira walked on five pitches. Robles would then proceed to walk Headley on five pitches, pushing Teixeira to second base. Robles barked at Teixeira and seemed to accuse him of stealing signs. Robles then allowed an infield single to Starlin Castro, pushing in a run. Robles was removed from the game and jawed at Teixeira (at third base now) on his way off the field. Teixeira tapped his helmet as if to say, “I’m in your head.”
