Fighting Ejections: Spencer Flynn (AA Braves vs. BayBears)

Flynn's actions likely kept
pitcher Tarsi in the game.

AA Braves-BayBears fight: HP Umpire Spencer Flynn ejected Mobile BayBears catcher Rossmel Perez & Manager Turner Ward and Mississippi Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt & second baseman Alden Carrithers for fighting in the top of the 9th inning of the Braves-BayBears game. With two on and two out, Braves batter Ryan Strieby took a 3-2 fastball from BayBears pitcher Michael Tarsi inside for ball four, the wild pitch sailing back to the screen with catcher Bethancourt in pursuit as baserunner R3 Perez broke for home plate. As Tarsi arrived to cover home plate, Perez had begun his feet-first slide, resulting in a collision at home, Perez sliding across the plate while upending Tarsi, who did not have the baseball. Replays indicate that because Perez had legally scored, there was no obstruction. As Tarsi then stood up, he and Perez became entangled, separated by Flynn before Bethancourt ran into the fray and attempted to tackle Perez, provoking a bench-clearing brawl and the ejection of two persons from each team. Braves pitcher Cory Rasmus had been ejected two batters earlier for intentionally throwing at Perez. At the time of the Rasmus ejection, the BayBears were leading, 7-2. At the time of the fighting ejections, the BayBears were leading, 7-3. The BayBears ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

Wrap: Braves at BayBears, 7/28/12
Video: One strike away from game's end, Perez takes out Tarsi, Bethancourt pushes Perez, benches clear