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Report: MLB to review incident involving Torii Hunter, umpire

Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Major League Baseball will review an incident from Monday night's game between the Orioles and Tigers in which third-base umpire Paul Nauert touched Torii Hunter's face in an effort to diffuse a benches-clearing brawl, according to ESPN.

Hunter, an 18-year veteran, was incensed after getting plunked in the ribs by Bud Norris during the eighth inning of Detroit's 4-1 win at Camden Yards. The 38-year-old shouted at Norris as he proceeded to first base, prompting a heated reaction from Baltimore's right-hander that ultimately caused both benches to empty.

During the fracas, Nauert briefly put his hand on Hunter's face in an attempt to pacify the enraged outfielder. Though the league will investigate the incident, Hunter didn't seem to harbor any animosity towards Nauert, who umpired his first big-league game in 1995.

"That's my guy," Hunter told The Detroit News of Nauert. "He was trying to cover my mouth. I've known him too long [to be upset]. He was just saying to me, 'C'mon, T. You're way better than that.' And he's right."

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