Rangers' Chirinos says Kemp's actions after collision caused scuffle, ejections

Tempers flared in the bottom of the third inning of Wednesday's game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers after Matt Kemp ran over Robinson Chirinos at the plate, but according to the catcher, it wasn't the collision that set him off and led to a shoving match with Kemp - it was the actions of the outfielder immediately afterward.

"I was not expecting it (the collision) because nowadays nobody goes after you," Chirinos said after his Rangers' 3-2 loss, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "But I know it happens in the game, and I'm not mad the way he went after me.

"It was how he reacted after that," Chirinos added. "He should have gotten up and walked to the dugout, but he got up and kind of leaned into me."

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

The scuffle between the two players caused both to be ejected, but although emotions ran high, Kemp doesn't expect any kind of retaliation from the Rangers when the two teams meet again in August.

"I thought it was a clean play," Kemp told reporters, including MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. "Blocking the plate, ran him over. Pretty much that simple. I was out. It was the shoving match we had (that earned the ejections). It's not a big deal. Two guys shoving each other and then it's over, really. Not that big of a deal, honestly. You all want more? We play them again in August. I don't think there will be anything coming from it. I'm just happy we got the win.

"I don't know the rule, but I didn't have a clear path to slide. All I could think about coming to the plate was Washington, when I slid in the plate and messed up my ankle. I didn't want to do that again. If I slide right there, I might get hurt."

Kemp injured his ankle in 2013 against the Nationals during an awkward slide at home plate.