BALTIMORE — The Yankees fought and fought and fought Friday night at Oriole Park. Then when they were two outs away from a big series-opening victory, they almost REALLY fought.
The Orioles ignited a ninth-inning, benches-clearing incident near home plate after Yankees closer Clay Holmes hit rookie outfielder Heston Kjerstad in the helmet with a 98-mph sinker.
After about a five-minute delay and O’s manager Brandon Hyde being ejected, Holmes picked up two more outs and the Yankees had themselves an emotional 4-1 victory that cut the Baltimore’s AL East lead to a game.
“I wasn’t trying to hit him,” Holmes said. “I think just a lot of emotions come out there. I’m out there trying to win the game. I’m not trying to go out anybody or whatnot. I’m glad that we kept our composure and it was a good win for us.”
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Both dugouts and bullpen cleared occurred after …