Pirates’ Joe Musgrove, Braves’ Josh Donaldson tossed after skirmish

Associated Press
Monday, June 10, 2019 8:53 p.m. | Monday, June 10, 2019 8:53 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove is lead away from a brief fight with the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2019, in Atlanta. Musgrove was ejected.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, center, argues with the umpire crew after he was ejected following a bench-clearing scuffle in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, June 10, 2019, in Atlanta.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove is held back by his teammates during a brief scuffle with the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2019, in Atlanta. Musgrove was ejected from the game.

ATLANTA — Pittsburgh right-hander Joe Musgrove and Atlanta third baseman Josh Donaldson have been ejected for triggering a benches-clearing confrontation.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle also was ejected by home-plate umpire Brian Gorman for arguing the decision to toss Musgrove.

Josh Donaldson and Joe Musgrove get into it.

Both were ejected after this skirmish, which began when Donaldson was hit by a pitch.pic.twitter.com/ufHfBIiku7

— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) June 10, 2019

With two outs in the first inning of Monday night’s game between the Pirates and Braves, Musgrove’s pitch grazed Donaldson’s jersey. As Donaldson headed to first base, he exchanged words with Musgrove and then took a few steps toward the mound before Pirates catcher Elias Diaz intervened. Donaldson shoved Diaz. That prompted players from both dugouts and bullpens to spill onto the field. No punches were thrown and the field was quickly cleared.

Ump Show. @MLB, Clean it up. Joe prepares harder than anyone, and you just took away his start day. No accountability. The pen is messed up for the series now. Guys will get sent down because they will have to eat these innings. Unbelievable.

— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon19) June 10, 2019