Tensions were high at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday after a hard knock led to a brief bench-clearing incident between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees.

Michael Massey hit a hard grounder to first base, and Jon Berti touched the bag before darting to second base. Maikel Garcia slid hard into the bag and Anthony Volpe’s label matched the firmness.

Volpe tapped Garcia in the chest and even made contact with his other arm. In what appeared to be an apology for a hard tap, Volpe patted Garcia several times, but Garcia was not a fan.

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New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) tags out Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) at second base during the sixth inning during game four of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Kauffman Stadium. (Denny Medley-Imagn images)

Garcia looked at Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who gave Kansas City message board material by saying they “got lucky” in Game 2. Chisholm then approached Garcia, as did Volpe and even starting pitcher Gerrit Cole.

The benches and bullpens cleared up during that brief exchange, as Volpe and Chisholm both waved goodbye to Garcia and Cole looked at him in terror.

Chisholm even had to be restrained by several people from his own dugout.

It wasn’t quite Greg Nettles versus George Brett, but it was a nice tribute to the old rivalry from the 1970s.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees is held back by teammates during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals during Game Four of the Division Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

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Perhaps the Royals were looking for some kind of spark, considering the incident occurred while they were just 10 outs away from elimination. It seemed to ignite them a bit, as Bobby Witt singled and then scored on a Vinnie Pasquantino double.

But for the most part, Cole has mowed down Kansas City, allowing just that run in his first six innings of work at time of publication.

The Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees brawl after Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11, not pictured) by New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11, not pictured) at second base during the sixth inning during game four of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Kauffman Stadium. (Denny Medley-Imagn images)

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Giancarlo Stanton built on his October resume, adding an RBI single in the sixth inning. Juan Soto and Gleyber Torres also have RBI singles.

A win would put the Yankees in their fourth ALCS since 2017, all of which ended in eliminations over the Houston Astros.

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