Yankees C Rodriguez, Angels CF Hunter ejected

Sep 9, 2008 - 4:41 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - New York Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim center fielder Torii Hunter were ejected from Monday's game after a bench-clearing incident in the sixth inning.

Mike Napoli hit a ground ball to third base and Hunter was caught between third and home. Rodriguez took a throw home from New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Hunter was tagged out easily, several feet from the plate.

Hunter and Ivan Rodriguez did make contact on the play and the catcher reached behind him and gave Hunter a shove as he was walking toward the mound. Hunter ran at Rodriguez and shoved him hard in the back before being subdued by Yankees pitcher Dan Giese.

The benches emptied and Ivan Rodriguez took a wild open-handed swing at Hunter but missed and order was then restored.

The Angels broke open a close game in the sixth, scoring six runs to take an 8-1 lead.