Benches Empty, No punches As Dodgers Beat Padres
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Rafael Furcal was hit in the back by a pitch shortly after Dodgers reliever Jonathan Broxton plunked a San Diego batter, and the benches cleared Saturday as Los Angeles beat the Padres 5-4.
There were no pushes, punches or ejections during the dustup in the sixth inning between NL West rivals.
Broxton hit Ryan Ludwick in the bottom of the fifth. Ludwick later started shouting near home plate at Dodgers players but the managers stopped the dispute from escalating.
Furcal was hit in the sixth by Padres reliever Brad Batch and plate umpire Hal Gibson issued warnings to both teams. After the half-inning ended, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier began hollering at the Padres dugout and the benches cleared.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
