In a heated ninth inning during the New York Yankees' victory over the Baltimore Orioles, tensions flared as O's outfielder Heston Kjerstad was hit in the head by a pitch from Yankees closer Clay Holmes. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was ejected after a bench-clearing incident ensued, with both teams responding to the dangerous play. While the pitch appeared accidental, the situation highlighted the intense competition between two AL East rivals. The priority now lies in Kjerstad's health, with no immediate update provided postgame. Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman and outfielder Aaron Judge expressed concern for Kjerstad, emphasizing the need for player safety in such high-stakes matchups. The incident serves as a reminder of the emotional and physical risks inherent in professional baseball, sparking debate and reflection on player safety protocols within the sport.