Watch: Benches clear for 2nd time after Bautista's bat flip
José Bautista perreó un jonrón en la 8va perdiendo 8-4 y se vaciaron los dugouts. pic.twitter.com/Id3CKX5t6w
— #DoYourJob (@renucho) May 18, 2017
There's some drama brewing in Atlanta.
Benches cleared for a second time in Wednesday's game between the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays after Jose Bautista admired his home run and bat flipped in the top of the eighth inning.
The inning prior, tensions boiled over between veteran Braves reliever Jason Motte and Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar, who appeared to say something to Motte as he walked off the mound.
The benches clear in Atlanta after Kevin Pillar takes exception to Jason Motte's quick pitch in the top of the 7th inning!!! pic.twitter.com/fcwxtUWuYL
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) May 18, 2017
Bautista's decision to pimp his home run, and subsequently stare back at reliever Eric O'Flaherty, didn't sit too well with the Braves. Second baseman Jace Peterson seemed displeased, saying something to Bautista as he rounded first, leading to catcher Kurt Suzuki approaching Bautista as he got to the plate.
Coincidentally, Bautista's antics come just over a year after he and Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor got into it on a sliding play at second base, leading to one of the most recognized brawls - and punches - in recent memory.
The Braves' frustrations seem justifiable as their players have been hit seven times since the start of the four-game series on Monday. Earlier in the game, first baseman Freddie Freeman was forced to leave after being hit in the wrist by a pitch from reliever Aaron Loup.
Later on, J.P. Howell would throw high and in on outfielder Ender Inciarte who seemed less than impressed, staring back at the mound.
Unfortunately for Bautista, Pillar, and the Blue Jays, the Braves got the last laugh with an 8-4 win. It's Toronto's third straight loss. The last game of the series will be played on Thursday.