Brandon Hyde bumps Austin Wells, ignites Yankees-Orioles bench clearing after HBP

Clay Holmes felt awful after a rain-soaked sinker rode up and in with two strikes on Heston Kjerstad in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 4-1 game in the Yankees' series opener with the Orioles. Immediately after his pitch escaped his fingertips and drilled Kjerstad in the helmet at the most inopportune time possible, he signaled apologetically. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde did not care one bit.

In an embarrassingly transparent attempt to spark his slumbering team, Hyde crossed a line, sprinting towards the dugout to bump Yankees catcher Austin Wells and ignite the brawl he was begging for. Meet John Schneider in the AL East Managerial Try Hards Club. Here's your smoking jacket and commemorative tote bag.

Hyde knew exactly what he was doing here, charging at Wells, a defensive replacement, and trying to start trouble in the wet grass. He got exactly what he was looking for, as the Yankees spewed from the dugout to defend their roster, still wracked with guilt over the hit-by-pitch.

When the dust settled, Holmes retired Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins. Try again tomorrow. Maybe bring boxing gloves next time?

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde sparks Yankees benches-clearing incident

Only in a rivalry with as little history as Yankees-Orioles could you get the O's acting like the aggrieved party, whether they're responsible for pain or absorbing it. They drill Aaron Judge in the wrist. "Get over it! How could we do that on purpose? You're dirty!'

A sinker gets away from Holmes and hits Kjerstad in a terrifyingly unintentional spot with the game on the line? "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO US?" After the game, Hyde blamed the Yankees' dugout "waving" at him for sending him over the edge. Of course, it was Hyde who barked first at a sympathetic Holmes, appearing to scream, "F** you!" towards the Yankees' closer for ... some reason.

Luckily, Holmes captured the save and bailed out the Yankees' slumbering offense, as the Bombers won the opener of a series for the first time since June 18. On Saturday, they'll try to capture their first series since June 10-13 against the Kansas City Royals. Wonder what hijinks and blame game shenanigans Hyde has planned.

Kjerstad recovering is, of course, the most important factor here. Expect more contrition from Holmes in the postgame. We extend our well-wishes.