Benches clear, 5 ejected after Pirates' Chris Archer throws behind Reds' Derek Dietrich

Jerry DiPaola
Sunday, April 7, 2019 2:58 p.m. | Sunday, April 7, 2019 2:58 p.m.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

The Pirates’ Melky Cabrera and the Reds’ Joey Votto hold back Yasiel Puig after the benches cleared during the fourth inning against the Reds Sunday, April 7, 2019, at PNC Park.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Pirates third base coach Joey Cora and the Reds’ Jose Iglesias hold back closer Felipe Vazquez after the benches cleared during the fourth inning against the Reds Sunday, April 7, 2019, at PNC Park.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Reds manager David Bell yells at home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg after Pirates pitcher Chris Archer hit Derek Dietrich with a pitch during the fourth inning Sunday, April 7, 2019, at PNC Park.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

The Reds’ Jose Iglesias holds back Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli after the benches cleared during the fourth inning against the Reds Sunday, April 7, 2019, at PNC Park.

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ two most valuable relief pitchers, Keone Kela and Felipe Vazquez, were ejected in the top of the fourth inning Sunday after Pirates and Cincinnati Reds players rushed onto the field when Pirates starter Chris Archer threw behind Derek Dietrich.

Also ejected were Reds manager David Bell, right fielder Yasiel Puig and relief pitcher Amir Garrett.

Chris Archer manages to stay in the game after throwing behind Derek Dietrich. pic.twitter.com/DboBGVR3IN

— Chase Williams WPXI (@chasepwilliams) April 7, 2019

Dietrich hit a 436-foot home run against Archer in the first inning, starting his trot a few seconds after he appeared to be admiring the trajectory of the baseball. The ball bounced into Allegheny River, making Dietrich only the 37^th player to hit one into the water since PNC Park opened in 2001.

UPDATE: Tempers flare following this HR.

Chris Archer throws it behind Dietrich in his next AB, benches clear.

(via @FOXSportsOH) pic.twitter.com/YP9YmfRZXp

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 7, 2019

Dietrich, who made the Reds’ roster as a non-roster invitee, hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer against the Pirates on Opening Day.

Order was restored in about 10 minutes after Puig, who grabbed Pirates bench coach Tom Prince, had to be restrained. When his plate appearance resumed, Dietrich struck out.

Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.