Astros' Gomez told Girardi, Yankees to 'shut up' during blowout win

Houston Astros outfielder Carlos Gomez is a man of the people, as long as those people are wearing the same uniform as he is.

Gomez's fiery personality has rubbed several opponents the wrong way throughout his nine-year career in the majors, and the 29-year-old ruffled feathers once again Tuesday in the Bronx.

Despite the Astros leading 9-0, Gomez threw his bat to the ground after popping out to center field, exchanging words with Joe Girardi and the New York Yankees' dugout before being escorted off the field.

"I did not understand very well what people were yelling at me," Gomez told reporters after the 14-1 win. "I just asked, 'Why are you yelling at me?' And then someone came out of the dugout and started screaming, and I said, 'Shut up, shut up; if you want to tell me something, come here and say what you have to say.'"

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Girardi said he responded to Gomez's outburst - which triggered a benches-clearing dispute - by telling the "emotional" center fielder to "play the game the right way."

"When (Gomez) came back, he started yelling at me," Girardi said. "I wasn't the guy who said anything. He is a kid, who plays hard, but there have been a number of clubs who have taken exception to some of the things he does on the field. It just got a little heated."

When asked about his approach possibly rubbing opponents the wrong way, Gomez defended his style and said he won't be making an effort to tone it down either.

"The only thing I know is every time I step on the field, I give everything I have," Gomez said. "If you misunderstand the way I play the game, it's your fault. I don't care how the other team feels. I only care how my team feels. And the only thing I know is like, every time I come here, all my teammates love me. What is the reason?"

One of the Yankees who Gomez had an exchange with Tuesday was Brian McCann. It wasn't the first time the two butted heads during a game.

"He invited me to dinner," Gomez said. "I say yes. Let’s go after the game."