A-Rod Hit By Pitch During First At-Bat Against Red Sox

BOSTON (AP) — Alex Rodriguez got hit by a fastball from Boston starter Ryan Dempster in the second inning Sunday night, setting off an angry scene at Fenway Park and leading to the ejection of New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

The game between the longtime rivals quickly turned testy, with the benches and bullpens clearing and the teams being warned about beanballs by plate umpire Brian O'Nora.

Dempster appeared to take aim at Rodriguez, who recently was suspended for 211 games by Major League Baseball in the Biogenesis drug case. Rodriguez appealed the penalty and can play until there is a final decision.

Booed when he was on deck at the end of the first inning, Rodriguez was jeered when he led off the second inning. Fans chanted "You're a cheater!" as Dempster threw his first pitch behind Rodriguez's knees.

Dempster missed inside with the next two pitches and then threw a fastball that hit A-Rod's elbow pad and deflected into his back.

O'Nora immediately issued an emphatic warning to both benches, and a trainer escorted Rodriguez to first base. Rodriguez stared at Dempster, but made no move toward the mound.

Girardi, however, ran onto the field and began hollering at O'Nora. Presumably in disbelief that Dempster hadn't been ejected, a livid Girardi wildly swung his fist — and it came near O'Nora's chin.