White Sox pitcher ejected after two head-high pitches spark bench clearing
White Sox right-hander Davis Martin was tossed after throwing two pitches near Reds rookie Sal Stewart’s head, prompting both benches to empty.
In a close game between Chicago and Cincinnati, White Sox pitcher Davis Martin struggled with control, hitting catcher Tyler Stephenson and the backstop early on. The situation escalated in the third inning when Martin launched a 0-1 pitch that passed over rookie Sal Stewart’s head, prompting Stewart to duck. Moments later, Martin’s follow-up pitch struck the front of Stewart’s helmet, inciting the batter to make an angry gesture.
Both benches cleared, but officials quickly re-established order and removed Martin from the game. Reds manager Terry Francona described the throws as “extremely blatant” and warned they could be lethal. The Reds held on to win 9-8 after the ejection.
Why it matters
The incident highlights player safety concerns and can affect league disciplinary policies.
In this story
