Benches Clear at Shea Stadium

The New York Mets, facing elimination this weekend with a two-game gap between themselves and the surging Philadelphia Phillies, saw emotions run high as benches cleared after Florida Marlins pitcher Harvey Garcia threw behind Luis Castillo in the fifth inning.

(Update below)

It actually all started with Hanley Ramirez, when he was hit by a John Maine (in the middle of a no-hitter) pitch in the fourth, but not awarded first base. He writhed in pain after the ball seemed to hit him on the left hand, but plate umpire C.B. Bucknor ruled it a foul ball off the knob of the bat. Last year's NL Rookie of the Year then struck out swinging and left the game.

Now, after Castillo was threatened at the plate the next inning, Miguel Cabrera came over to talk down his former teammate, who had walked toward the mound with his arms spread out, still wielding his bat. After a short delay, play resumed. Castillo walked and manager Fredi Gonzalez came out to make a double switch.

Florida backstop Miguel Olivo, on the mound during the pitching change, suddenly steamed across the diamond and threw a punch at Jose Reyes, who was standing on third talking shit, sparking the melee. Olivo's swipe missed the big league steals-leader (and friend of his) among chants of "Jo-se, Jo-se, Jo-se" from the crowd.

Mets third base coach Sandy Alomar held back Olivo while Cabrera grabbed Reyes as both teams poured onto the field. There was lots pushing and shoving, but (sadly) no other punches were thrown. Olivo was ejected, but Reyes was not. He went on to score on David Wright's single, giving the Mets a 10-0 lead.

Through all of this, Maine continued his no-hit bid into the eighth, just to lose it to a two-out infield dribbler by Paul Hoover... the guy who replaced Olivo. The dynamite righty finished with 14 strikeouts, 2 walks and just the one hit surrendered over 7.1 innings pitched. New York went on to win 13-0, re-gaining their tie in the East with the Phillies, who lost 4-2 to the Washington Nationals.

With just one game remaining in the season, all kinds of crap could go down in the exciting NL races. We'll let this dude break it down for ya.

Update: Miguel Olivo was fined and suspended for 5 games by Bob Watson, baseball's VP of Discipline. Watson called Olivo's actions "inappropriate and violent."

[USA Today]