Youkilis, Ramirez put altercation behind them

Jun 6, 2008 - 9:42 PM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Kevin Youkilis and Manny Ramirez said they have moved on from Thursday's confrontation in the Boston Red Sox dugout.

"It's over, done," was the only response from Youkilis on Friday when asked by reporters to address the incident following the fourth inning, which featured Ramirez taking a swipe at the first baseman after the two exchanged words.

Trainer Paul Lessard pulled Ramirez away and led him down the runway leading to the Red Sox clubhouse while teammates corralled Youkilis.

In an unusual twist, Ramirez chimed in before Friday's series opener with the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park.

"It was a misunderstanding," Ramirez said. "Even in the best family, you fight and stuff like that. But it's done, it's over with. We got everything straightened out."

"I don't know if it happens all the time, but it's in the past and we're going to move on," said Ramirez, who indicated he had not spoken to Youkilis since the incident. "We're fine. It's a new day."

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the team has put it behind them.

"Nah, we'd close the clubhouse," Francona said when asked if the incident were lingering over the team. "We had a lot of emotions going last night, a lot of things happen with teams that aren't seen. We'll just move on and sometimes you're better for it."

The Youkilis-Ramirez rift happened just one inning after Coco Crisp charged the mound after being hit by a fastball from James Shields, sparking a bench-clearing brawl between the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.