Yankees' Boone: 'Nothing remotely dirty' about Austin's slide

Tyler Austin caused a stir at second base during Wednesday's game by sliding with his cleats up toward Boston Red Sox defender Brock Holt, but rookie New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone saw nothing wrong.

Boone said there was "nothing remotely dirty," about Austin's slide, according to Marc Carig of The Athletic. He also told Carig he had "no issue with" Austin charging the mound after getting plunked later in the game.

In the third inning, on a double-play opportunity, Austin slid aggressively into and beyond second base, appearing to clip Holt with the bottom of his cleats. After a heated exchange between the two, the benches and bullpens cleared but nothing further developed at that time.

Later in the game, however, Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly hit Austin with a pitch that sparked another emptying of the benches, and this time punches were thrown. Kelly and Austin were subsequently ejected for their roles in the tussle.

Boston manager Alex Cora said he felt Austin's slide was clearly not allowed based on the current rules. But though Cora attempted to challenge the play, he would not commit to calling it dirty, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston.