The benches cleared twice inside SunTrust Park during Wednesday’s game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the seventh inning, Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar struck out and yelled what is being reported as a homophobic slur at Braves’ pitcher Jason Motte. Both benches cleared after things for heated between Pillar and Motte.
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
So are we just going to pretend that @KPILLAR4 didn't initiate all this by yelling a gay slur? Better step up on this one, @MLB. pic.twitter.com/8bB3xijtCu
— Dr. B (@BlakeTheRxGuy) May 18, 2017
After the game, Pillar told reporters his comment was “immature” and he planned to apologize to the Braves.
Kevin Pillar spoke about "immature, stupid, uncalled for" comment during the #BlueJays' game against the Braves.https://t.co/H3t7GiAxYh pic.twitter.com/ovOieNpYb6
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 18, 2017
Pillar said he will reach out to #Braves & apologize. #BlueJays https://t.co/NTlBWjd5Zx
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) May 18, 2017
One inning later, the Blue Jays Jose Bautista flipped his bat after hitting a homerun in the eighth inning. The benches cleared once again, but no punches were thrown.
🌎 (@UBtalkin) May 18, 2017José Bautista #BlueJays flips bat #Braves don't like it! @iDroneHD @Canuck289 pic.twitter.com/XqRdyB9k9m
— Uncle Bill
In the fifth inning, Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was hit by a pitch and left the game to undergo X-rays for his wrist injury.
After the game, Mike Foltynewicz answered a few questions about the tension between the two teams.
Mike Foltynewicz breaks down his start & lets it be known that the #Braves didn't approve of some of the Blue Jays' actions on the field pic.twitter.com/QbuwHknD0F
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) May 18, 2017
The Braves won Wednesday’s game 8-4. The final game in the Braves’ home series against the Blue Jays on Thursday night begins at 7:35 p.m.
Here’s what Braves fans had to say about Wednesday’s ballpark drama:
Homophobic slurs are NOT "part of the game." Should never be someone's go-to insult. Appalling behaviour by @KPILLAR4. #BlueJays #Braves
— Martha Holmen (@winnimartha) May 18, 2017
I remember watching the #BlueJays and #Braves in the World Series and thinking "This will flare back up in 25 years when they're both awful"
— Sunny Dhillon (@TheSunnyDhillon) May 18, 2017
Well, @BlueJays v @Braves is getting heated... pic.twitter.com/QKo41S3Rw5
— Brendan Robertson (@BrendanWRBL) May 18, 2017
💪— Cody Sullivan (@cody_sully) May 18, 2017
Benches clear & Braves Bullpen gets a standing ovation upon returning. Blue Jays are met with a "USA USA USA" chant. #Baseball
— Mark Owens (@marko6262) May 18, 2017
A Pillar of levelheadedness, right ... right? #Braves #BlueJays
— Cory McCartney (@coryjmccartney) May 18, 2017