Kelly plunks Austin to ignite intense, bench-clearing brawl at Fenway Park

Safe to say, 2018 is going to be an interesting chapter in the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry.

For the second time in Wednesday's game, benches cleared and things got heated after Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly plunked Yankees infielder Tyler Austin in the top of the seventh inning, leading to a full-on brawl.

Kelly and Austin were ejected from the game, with Yankees coach Phil Nevin also getting the boot for his part in the altercation.

Kelly's act of retaliation stemmed from an earlier play in the third inning when Austin tried to break up a double play by sliding hard into Brock Holt's leg. The Red Sox shortstop, upset with Austin's actions, voiced his displeasure to the infielder, leading to both benches clearing.

Immediately after getting plunked, Austin slammed his bat and charged Kelly, with the right-hander appearing to land some punches. It's the third bench-clearing incident of the day, with Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies and starter Luis Perdomo of the San Diego Padres at the center of a similarly intense, bench-clearing brawl at Coors Field.