MIAMI (AP) - May 24, 2007 -- Florida Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis began shouting at the Philadelphia Phillies' dugout, and soon the two teams were engaged in a shoving match near third base Thursday night.
At least one punch was thrown by an unidentified Florida player, but no ejections resulted from the confrontation, which emptied both benches and bullpens in the fourth inning.
Emotions began to escalate when Phillies right-hander Jon Lieber hit Aaron Boone with a pitch in the second inning. Three batters later, Lieber threw a pitch behind Willis.
In the fourth, Willis threw behind Lieber. The next batter grounded out to end the inning, but as Willis walked off the mound he shouted at the Phillies and waved his glove at them.
The dugouts emptied, and the teams traded shoves and words near third base.
Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez - ejected in the third inning for arguing a call - returned to the field to help restore order. Coach Jim Presley restrained Willis.
Marlins left-hander Scott Olsen was still shouting at the Phillies as he returned to the dugout. Olsen last year said he hated the Phillies because they dominated the Marlins, and he angrily screamed at Philadelphia's Chase Utley from the mound after walking him Tuesday.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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